Practically Speaking: Light a Candle

Remember the times we strike a match to light a candle as we mark an event:

• Eucharist and liturgical,
• Paschal and baptismal,
• Wedding and ceremony,
• Emergency and storm,
• Romantic dinner,
• Birthday cake.

Can you think of other times?  Lighting a candle is soulful, a deliberate ritual that causes thoughtful pause.  Bring this simple act into your daily reminds that ordinary is extraordinary.  Breathe.  God is here, right now.  His light shines in the darkness. Out of the chaos of darkness, He created order.  Not only can you see a candle burn, if you are completely quiet, you can hear a candle burn. 

Try bringing this sweet practice into your family time.  Kids thrive on ritual, on setting aside special time.  Wait until all are ready to sit at the table for dinner, then have someone light a candle.  A moment of quiet brings attention to the now that is being shared.  Or, try lighting a candle for prayer time.  Especially for children (or ADD adults!), it helps to focus our hearts and minds on one object, to quiet wandering minds and worried thoughts, opening our eyes to see.  

Each time you light a candle, remember the romance and thrill of all the extra special times candles are lit: celebrating new life, celebrating communion, celebrating vows.

Ironically, as I write this, its Friday afternoon when our spiritual cousins are making preparations for Sabbath.  When the table candles are lit, the past week's worries, routine, and ordinariness are marked past.  For a single day, the all-sufficiency of God's grace is celebrated.  The mere idea is romantic and idyllic, even if it sometimes requires discipline and focus to not work.  Claim this sweet ritual as your own, strike a match and be in God's presence.

Practically Speaking: Denture tablets and soaking

Found a new trick for denture cleaning tablets. Old tricks include dropping them in funny shaped flower vases for a deep clean, or soaking them in funky smelling plastic containers. Gathering used glass bottles for reuse, I have found the cleansing tablets completely dissolve old labels with no scrubbing. A minor miracle, as you surely know. Now I can keep nice old jelly jars, syrup jars, and salad dressing jars! I use this brand (on left) since it is usually cheap. Store the tablets with your clean vases, or with your dish soaps.

1. Find a container that can completely engulf your glass bottle to be recycled. A large, tall pot works well.

2. Place used glass bottle inside container.

3. Fill large container with warm water.

4. Drop in one or two cleansing tablets--depending on the size of the label. Let soak for several hours.

5. Take old glass container out, and wipe any excess label or glue with a paper towel.

Its a good reminder that I need to soak in God's presence, to loosen grime and re-purpose my old ways. Soaking takes time, little agitation, and quiets your heart to see the God who is now-here. Check out this soaking prayer website for just a start.

God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing.
   You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
      you find me quiet pools to drink from.
   True to your word,
      you let me catch my breath
      and send me in the right direction. 

--The Message, Psalms 23:2-3