A Little Fire

Above us, great tree branches swayed gently in a quiet breeze. I smelled the woods, the dirt, and fresh air - but they didn't please me. No, not at all. I really didn't want to be here; slowly planting one hot, tennis-shoed foot in front of the other.

Mom had told me it was a bad idea to bring my favorite stuffed rabbit on our walk. I didn't believe her, in my typical fashion, but after (what seemed like hours) on these country roads, Tommy's limp paw was uncomfortably warm to hang on to. My hand was sweaty, and what if I dropped him? I'd probably never see him again. Still, I didn't dare ask Mom to hold him - after all, she told me this would happen.

We were on our way back from a ramble in the countryside. Mom had been pointing out the pretty things around us; the general splendor of flora and fauna, hollyhocks growing by a fence, a barn where peacocks were hiding...

The idea of peacocks fascinated me, even though they were out of sight today. Mom said they had huge, plumed tails. I'd seen a picture of some peacocks in a Bible story book we had at home. How did they get such big feathers?

As I wondered, one of the colorful birds appeared in my mind's eye. I watched as an invisible force arranged it's tail feathers - much as one would compose a vase of flowers. Next, I saw them growing in layered rows. But, no, it couldn't possibly be that way. Then an entirely different thought occurred to me: wouldn't it be scary if someone left the gate open and those strange, huge birds came out? They would, without doubt, be a terrible force to be reckoned with. A shudder brought me back to reality.

Our elderly neighbor had just lost her husband. We had gone to the funeral a few days before. Today, Mom had thought it would be a nice distraction from grief if she and I walked over to visit her for a while.

"Well then,"  I had reasoned, as soon as I heard about how lonely our poor neighbor was, "At least she's old enough to get married again." To me, remarriage was an obvious solution. She would have a new friend to share life with, and would even get to plan another wedding - how fun!

Unfortunately, my small mind didn't grasp the reality of loss and heartache at this point in life, as my greatest woes were small ones. It was also unfortunate that Mom had been completely unprepared for the expression of these sentiments to our dear neighbor, as I did my best to encourage her with the prospect of future wedded joy.

As we rounded another curve in the road, I was relieved to see our house. I knew the inside was peaceful and cool - perfect for a quick break before I headed out to play on the swing set. Hopefully I could wiggle out of nap time, today.

I kicked a piece of gravel with the toe of my shoe, reflecting on the conversation we'd had. I didn't understand why Mom seemed displeased with my kind suggestion. It seemed that any attempt I ever made at maturity was always, without exception, frowned upon and apologized for by my parents. For pity sake - I was only trying to help.

Of course, she had forced me to apologize and we all tried to pretend I hadn't said anything at all, but I would never forget the strange injustice.

Thankfully, many years have passed since the conversation took place. That, along with quite a few other instances of my tongue getting me in trouble, have taught me that there is a time to speak and a time to be silent - most especially when one doesn't fully understand the situation.
     Listening long and hard before giving your two-cents-worth is a valuable habit, one my parents prayed I would (by some miracle) learn to cultivate.

James 3:5

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!