We sat under a blanket of stars at Bear Lake. When the lights are all out you can see the mist of the Milky-way and billions of stars.
When the bonfire started, the crowd was as raucous as the flames, there was laughter, songs and s’mores. As the volume of the crowd faded, so too did the fire. One by one parents lead their sleepy kids off to bed. Eventually the fire turned into a fallen pile of fuel. When the logs were separated the fire waned. When the logs were together the flames grew.
When all was said and done, there were just four of us gazing at the heat beat of the coals, and the purple hues of fire licking the wood.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the turbulence and uncertainty of our days. The United States is in a battle of ideologies, of fear, of trying to survive not just the season, but the day. I believe our differences are what can make us stronger, but not when we are separated, not when the only way to share different opinions is through division, anger and name calling.
The United states will survive, but only if we as the people can unite, can gather, and can support each other. We all have a unique story to share, and we can gain so much wisdom and light from hearing each other, from banding together. The flame of independence and freedom is won in our daily interactions and our commitment to unity, and when I support another person’s right to believe and live differently than I do.
I left the fire that night with a lingering feeling of awe. The grand and mighty plan, authored by our Heavenly Father is so much bigger than this moment. I felt humbled to see his star creations, millions of galaxies away, knowing how small I am- and yet feeling the calm of an infinite love, just for me. I smelled the lingering smokiness of the fire in my hair as I climbed into bed that night. While I am now back in the city, back to work, the lesson of the fire remains. Together we can light the world. Separated, we are just a pile of cold ash.
