“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!” 1 Samuel 12:16
Evening campfires have all sorts of great expectations and all sorts of unfulfilled memories. These two aren’t necessarily the same, but they are both true. Expectations might include hot dogs on a stick, marshmallows, s’mores, popcorn, sing along songs, or even scary stories. Unfulfilled memories include not being able to get the fire started, not having enough firewood, too much smoke, tripping on something and almost landing in the fire, burnt marshmallows, and sparks hitting your clothes.
Little boys love campfires - but they don’t mix for many parents. Why - because an extremely high percentage of boys enjoy poking sticks in the fire - then holding up the stick to watch it flame. To some parents this situation has that “you’re going to burn the entire camp, the whole forest or even the whole world down.” And often to the other parent it means, “my son will learn.” Now these are probably a little extreme, but I think you get the idea.
Here’s a memory that reminds us of an important truth. When a campfire is going there is something incredible about watching the fire. It dances around and we are just trying to watch a specific flame. We find ourselves looking and staring intently into the fire and just relaxing and forgetting about everything. It is very peaceful.
