“Abruptly the poker of memory stirs the ashes of recollection and uncovers a forgotten ember, still smoldering down there, still hot, still glowing, still red as red.” - William Manchester
A story was told at a meeting I attended by a man named Steve Bullen. Along with his wife Simone, they once pastored a church in North Atlanta before moving back to Australia. Steve was speaking to a large group of men about re-igniting their lives and a story of many years ago during a beach-side conference which always held a very large bonfire at conference end.
In the days leading up to that beach-side conference, the folks involved with putting on the event had built a huge pile of wood and timbers for the final night's bonfire. This was going to be a very large fire for those gathered. But as the conference started, the rains came. Rain came pouring down for two to three days, soaking everything including the bonfire wood.
When the final night came, the rains had ceased and everyone was expecting a grand fire. As you would expect, the wood was damp and the day's sunshine had not fully dried it. So paper, brush and lots of matches were consumed trying to get this bonfire started.
Then out of the corner of Steve's eye, he sees someone coming with a large fuel can; gasoline one would expect, letting the liquid fly towards the pile. It was estimated at probably two or more gallons of the highly flammable stuff. To no one's surprise, there were a few small embers from the failed lighting attempts still glowing within the pile.
Now if you have never seen what happens with gasoline; the fumes are flammable and all it takes is a small spark or ember to ignite it completely. An instant solar flare occurred which lit up the entire coastline. So bright that ships thought it was a light beacon. So intense that...well, you get the picture.
What one can draw from this story is all it took was one small flame.
One small spark or ember can change everything. Something so small and singular in purpose we somehow forget that it exists. But it does exist. It exists in each of us, deep inside where we have forgotten it.
That one small flame glows, just waiting for you to throw something on it. To let it ignite your life and explode into something great. Oh yes, it does exist and all it takes is that one small flame.
A small touch or a small amount of movement to change your life.
Stay inspired my friends!
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