The way to Peace

As I sit at my computer this morning I can see a light snow falling outside. I have been attempting to get my woodstove to cooperate with me in getting our place a little warmer.
There seem to be some lessons emerging from this experience. Putting big 'bites' of wood into the stove does little good in getting a fire started in the beginning. As most folks, who have experienced the 'wonders' of 'wood' heat, know, it really helps a lot to start with some small pieces of wood. Another factor is how much moisture is in the wood. Wet wood will eventually burn but it needs a whole lot more help than does dry wood. I went out and got some smaller wood - kindling -and it looks as though the fire just might burn. Since we live in a relatively small house the one stove does quite well in providing warmth when there is a wood fire inside of it.

There was a man we had gotten to know some time back who worked in landscaping and tree pruning. When he found out that we burned wood he offered to - and brought us, - several loads of cut wood before he was killed when he fell out of a tree in a sad accident. Also, another man, to whom we had sold our trailer, has brought several loads of wood. We have been very grateful for these 'gifts of love'. Up until this past Sunday, though, most of the cut wood has been in a big pile waiting to be split. We have a splitter but it wasn't starting properly so I couldn't just go out and split some wood when I had time. Duane was finally able to spend the time needed and got the splitter working again and even got a small amount of wood split. We are still finishing up the 'older wood' from last winter's supply but it will soon be gone.

One advantage to heating with a wood fire is that it is often less expensive then other forms of heating - unless you have to buy all the wood already precut and presplit. But when a person burns wood for heating their dwelling they soon learn that there are several elements very helpful when working with this kind of a heating system. I see some practical life lessons here.

1. One thing that is extremely helpful in getting a fire started is to have some smaller pieces of wood to begin with. We usually crumple up some paper as a starter also. You can use a starter fluid or some type of combustable fluid but that has its drawbacks and often safety concerns.
A. There are some similarities in developing a 'warm relationship' with another mind. It is really helpful to start with 'small' things. Some of us see the goal set before us and instead of beginning with 'paper' sized elements we try to put the big log on. Jesus referred to something similar when he talked about getting the mote out of your own eye before attempting to take a 'log' out of another person's eye. Starting with small things is often the best way to get a bigger job accomplished to satisfaction.

2. Another common 'challenge' is 'time. It takes time to build a fire that will be productive of heat, i.e. warm the house. Not only does it take time to prepare the wood before it is lit, but a fire takes time to really begin to release wamth even after it is burning.
B. We may have become part of God's family but it may take some time for us to 'warm up' in such a way as to allow the warmth of the love and peace of God to warm our hearts, thus preparing us to warm those around us with that same love - the fulfilling of the law.

3. I had tried a little earlier to get a fire started but my first efforts were almost useless. I didn't have enough kindling (small pieces of wood that could burn easily) to begin with and after the paper burned up the fire almost went out. I paused in my writing, went out, got some small kindling and placed it on the fire and now it looks as though the fire is going good.
C. In a recent experience with another mind I had attempted to put in to it too big of hunks (mainly of informational stuff) and I almost put out the relationship altogether. I am presently attempting to find the right kind of kindling that works in re'firing' that relationship that almost got overwhelmed by too big of pieces of 'would' comments which almost put the 'fire' out.

4. Besides wood it is essential to have air in order for a fire to burn. You have probably seen what happens to a candle when you put it under an upsidedown glass - it very shortly goes out. Fire must have air - oxygen - in order to burn.
D. The 'air' of the Holy Spirit is needed to invigorate and 'fire up' any relationship such as when I deal with other minds as well as when I am communing with the Creator God of the universe.

4. A wood stove fire needs tending. In this way it is different than most home heating systems. You can turn a gas stove on - just set the thermistat at a desired temperature - and 'forget it'. A wood stove has to be 'fed' wood or it will go out.
E. Our relationships with other minds must also be 'fed'. It takes time to develop a relationship and it takes time to keep it going as well with the right kind of fuel.

Might the same be true in our relationship with out heavenly Father? It is not a 'set it and forget it' proposition. God is asking me to come to Him all the time. He wants me to be filled with His love to the point that I will burn in love not only for Him but for others as well.

I'm also wondering if that might be the way to peace as well. True Peace is from God. And as we experience peace because we are learning who God really is and what He is really like we will be better able to 'build' peace based relations with others.

It is not wise to put just anything into a wood stove. So there are some things that may not be wise to bring to relationships with God or others. Concrete doesn't burn well. Neither is it wise to burn plastic. It will burn but in the process it also gives off some substances that may not bee too healthy. So it is true with our relationships with others. There are some areas it is best not to delve into. Each relationship is also very different. I can talk to one brother about certain topics that I don't feel I can even get near with another brother. The same is true with other people as well. Everything in a relationship that is filtered through the love of Christ will be a blessing to me - even if the other mind did not receive it as such.

For anyone interested I believe some comments my brother has made may also be of interest. (use the link to the right.)

I need to go for now. The snow has slowed down, the room is warmer, and I have much to do today. I may go into town later but my hubby called and said there are several accidents due in part to the snow and to be real careful if I do venture out.

For those of you in warmer locations, you may be thankful you don't have a fire that needs building. To those in colder places you can thank the Lord for warmth.

Bringer of Peace