I just walked by my kitchen table and smelled the most wonderful, soothing aroma. The kitchen is dark - the sounds of the night winding down linger about me. The washer clicks and hums ... a movie's just ending on the TV. I've been puttering around online and in my bedroom for the past hour, enjoying the silence. But this candle - this single green candle - the thing that's putting off such a beautiful smell - reminded me at once of the sounds and experiences of this past weekend.
My friend Melanie brought over the candle the other evening, unceremoniously, before we all sat down to dinner. We enjoyed a great time then. I set the candle on another table and left it there. Then, this weekend, it just seemed right to light it up.
We had a crowd in our home - at least for us. Between three and six extra kids, and four extra adults - all of our dearest friends. The husbands went out for twenty-four hours of backpacking and guy time, and we ladies stayed in with the kids and enjoyed ice cream, a late night, and lots of laughter. We let the candle burn then, and it's still burning now - a small, simple reminder of the fellowship and peace we enjoyed with our friends. Yes, they've almost all gone home now. Yes, we've moved on to complete the rest of our evening. But like the candle - the gift of their friendship remains ... enriching our lives even when we aren't consciously aware of it.
I couldn't ask for more from my friends - more from God. He has blessed our family with true, loyal, forgiving, life-honoring people with which to share this journey. I only hope that we can spread some sort of richness to their lives as well. For our part, we've been blesssed beyond measure ... and we are eternally grateful.
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