Be Like a Lighthouse

I guess while this post is about us , it's actually intended as encouragement to you. People keep telling me they can't wait to learn from my experience with this fire and that they are dying for me to share my insights. So here is a quick lesson...

This morning we received and e-mail from our friend Mike and it really helped start our day off well. I wanted to let him know how much the e-mail meant to both of us but there really weren't words. However, I did think of this illustration so, I shared it with him and I'm going to share it with you now.

I feel like we are caught in some crazy swell in the middle of the ocean and we working hard to keep our heads above water but can't seem to make any progress towards the shore. And in fact, many times we think we see a life boat but instead of a life preserver, people or circumstances are hurled at us that make us feel like our heads are being shoved down under the water.

His e-mail was like a lighthouse. Far off in the distance (literally cuz he's a traveling man) there was flicker of light to remind us, help is out there, ready, waiting. There really isn't anything he can do right now to change our situation but that little e-mail gave us the energy to keep paddling for another day and made us realize we aren't as far away from the shore as it sometimes feels.

So, my words of wisdom -don't be like me. As I have made my way through papers that were "rescued" from our office/guest room, I have come across what can now be considered a stack of cards I purchased at various times to send to friends who I was "thinking of" friends who's parents have passed, who needed encouragement, who I miss - that I just never took the time to mail. Don't be like me, be like a lighthouse. If you are thinking of someone, tell them. If you buy a card, mail it. If someone pops into your mind, call them. If it's too late to call, send an e-mail. I think most people know you can't rescue them, and the thing is, they aren't expecting the Coastguard. Talk yourself out of believing that when you don't know what to do, you aren't supposed to do anything. Be a lighthouse.