I’m here on retreat at Christ the King Retreat House watching the candles burning in the chapel. So many candles, so many prayers being lifted up to the Lord! Each one representing someone’s need, or thanksgiving – each one seen and the prayer heard by the Lord. I believe He sees each person as they consider lighting that candle; He knows what’s on their heart, He knows the faith that is calling them to light a candle, and He’s ready ahead of time to answer that prayer – always in His perfect timing, and in His perfect provision. Not always in the way the candle lighter envisions it, but always in the way that is best for the intention. I thank God that He’s given me the faith to believe that, for I’ve lighted many candles in my life, and to know in my heart that each one was seen and received by the Lord is a great consolation to me.
Being raised Protestant, the candle lighting had not been a part of our family’s religious practices. I first became really aware of it when Bill and I made our first retreat at Holy Name Retreat House on Chambers Island. It was a spiritual turning point in our lives, and re-set our course to a more serious look at our faith and how we practiced it. We were facing bankruptcy and all that entails, and were so deeply blessed to hear the wise counsel of the retreat director, Fr Leon, advising Bill to let it go, as the loss of the business was killing all of us. Bill received this counsel, and the beginning of peace in his heart which he needed to begin again.
We were in the chapel of the retreat house, looking at all those candles burning, and we lit one – both in gratitude for this holy encounter, and in supplication for God’s help moving forward. And we took a candle home with us, to light when we felt called to come to the Lord for help.
That was when we lit it at first – just when something special was calling for prayer. It might be a birthday celebration, or a need for healing, or safe travel, or…. As time went on, we lit it more and more, until it became a perpetual light near our little Mary space, with a statue of the Blessed Mother and a flower in her honor. This holy practice has become a part of my devotional life ever since, and it’s been 45 years since we lit that first candle.
When I go to the cabin, I light the candle on the fireplace and keep it burning til we go home, asking God to bless our family time there. Prayers for safety, for the healing of any strained relationships, for traveling mercies, for any family member in most need of help, in thanksgiving for Gma & Gpa Fellman who made the place possible! So many petitions lifted up to the Lord, and He hears each one!
At home now in my office room, the candle is lit when I get up in the morning, and I usually blow it out at night, to make the candles last longer. The Lord knows that the candle is lit in my heart 24/7, with the flame of love from the Holy Spirit keeping me warm and connected to God’s burning love for His people. I thank God for the gift of candle light, and for the greater gift of “His Light shining in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5). And it never will!
Lord God, thank you for sending Your Son Jesus as the Light of the world! Thank you for the gift of candles, the little lights we can ignite to remind us of Your great love and provision in the ups and downs of our lives. May we always keep a candle lit in our hearts, trusting in Your perfect care and mercy for us and for all we hold in our hearts…
Spiritual Sun Pennies 