This past Christmas Eve our woodstove added its cheer to our home. It was most pleasant to watch the flames move behind the glass window. It was especially nice to push in the damper and watch the flames slow down to a graceful mesmerizing dance. When it was time for more wood I picked up a nice piece of hardwood and placed it beside another already burning log. If I placed it near but not touching the burning log I wondered how long it would take for the hardwood to blaze. It took several minutes but finally the hardwood could no longer resist and it added its warmth to the room.
I thought of hardnosed people living in the same home with gentle loving people. How long can the hardnosed folk resist? Who becomes like the other? Perhaps it is the gentle person who changes? Is it possible for both to co-exist and neither bow to the atmosphere created by the other?
During the years when I was a pastor I saw many people want so much for their spouse to join them in coming to church. Unfortunately I saw some people just give up and they lost their walk with the Lord. Fortunately I also saw it work the other way. Little by little I saw husbands and wives (usually husbands) come to church on special occasions at first and then sporadically and then regularly. The burning love and care of the spouse and others welcoming them into the church family ultimately caused them both to blaze. It is an endeavor by more than one, but the main person is the one burning brightly in the same home. No pressure, no nagging, no preaching, no urging, just loving seemed to work best.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 3, 2013
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org