“My lantern, my lantern.."
I saw much love this night: A warm hug from a late arriving
parent, a loving arm placed around a spouse. It was the coldest evening thus
far, yet no place could have been warmer in spirit. Warm lemon tea was dished out to chilled hands; “savory roasted veggie” and “chicken pesto” roll-ups were served
out too. Parents and children sat around the fire, on blankets, and on laps, singing.
All the children at the Pre-school were ready to begin the school's annual
Lantern walk. The children had their felted
lanterns, with their little candles shining; all the parents had
their children, their little lights to guide; the teachers had their
lanterns and a song on their lips; and I, I was without both lantern and guide.
I walked alone, behind the others, trailing my dust behind.
I had of course not properly prepared. I considered prior
bringing an old lantern of my own, but felt certain the school would provide an
extra for me. I also had not learned the song, thus was without that too. It reminded me of how I generally have a lax trust in the
Universe. I trust that I will be provided for to the point of not mentally or physically
doing anything in preparation. It fast became
a lesson about Life: One actually has to make an effort if one wants anything to turn out [well]. God does not hand out help liberally. He
requires that we work on ourselves and on creating the tools that can help light
our way through the Unknown. There are lights/guides along the path, set up by
those who have come before, but every moment we have the choice to follow or
choose our own path through the woods. This time, without my own light, I
followed the heard.
Later by the fire I stood beside a little boy I had taken to (for
I can tell he’s an introvert and highly sensitive too). He looked up at me and said in the most off-handed distress, “I’m tired of holding my
lantern”, his arm going limp at the thought. I suggested he switch hands, while
at the same time reaching my own hand out. I left it lowered, moving it back
and forth until he got the hint that I was offering to take his burden; it
would be no burden to me. After a moment’s consideration he moved his hand
towards mine and I clasped the lantern gratefully. I got to have a lantern that
night after all.
I got to hold the tool
that would light my way through the darkness. And it ironically came through
helping relieve another. But
we each do have the burden to carry our own light (piece of God). Through such a gathering as this, it became clear that we are not alone in this.
We each need to step up to Light our way Home; yet sometimes help comes in the smallest packages.
