Traveling Light: The Candle Bearer

This story must begin, “Once upon a time” (for all important stories do). Though the story began many years ago, it is still alive today.

Imagine a small home in the center of a town. Many men and women come--all whose hearts are willing bring to the King their offerings of gold for the preservation of the home. Dancers, artists, craftsmen, singers, those who spin the goat’s hair into yarn, and they that sew, musicians, engravers, designers, embroiderers, builders. Those who are eager to help in the work of the home bring their gifts and give them freely.

This humble home is rich in laughter for in it dwell sisters, virgins all—pure in spirit, because their King has made them so.

The sister who leads with wisdom and sincerity

The sister who listens, and laughs, and loves

The sister who is pregnant with life

The sister who sits with the women and mourns, and rejoices

The sister whose hands feed a number of great knights

The sister who oversees,and dances

The sister who manages the treasure

The gentle sisters who live on the hill

The sisterswhose handssee and words heal

The sisters who speak for those who cannot

Warrior sisters whotravel from afar to take precious messages to the King.

The city itself is dark. No ground is stirred. No seeds are planted. There is no water for the thirsty; no light for the bud.

The home, in contrast, is lit from within by the King. Each sister carries with her a measure of light—the portion allotted to her for her specific task. She takes part in making the home a reflection of the King and his Comfort to all who enter its gates.

For some of the injured who travel there, the light throws a shadow. For others, the light burns the eyes. And for still others, the light gives clarity and warmth.

And in this simplehome, dwells a humble sister who carries the candle from room to room, and patiently waits for thePrince, her groom. This sister is of great repute, and a merry heart.

She who carries the candle has no easy task, for many people come to the home poor in spirit, lacking in hope, and weary of mind. Each burdened soul is welcomed, ushered into the heart of the home and, further, into an inner chamber. The Candle Bearer greets each wanderer with peace on her face and in her mouth. As the weary soul speaks, the Candle Bearer lifts the flickering light gently to their war-torn heart, and warms it.

Sometimes, the King gives a measure of light that may seem too much to bear in this tiny home. Sometimes, He gives many lights—points of light like stars. Bright, bright, brilliant lights.

The one who carries the candle holds this great burden. So much light! Bursting! Bursting like the night sky! She must place her starry lights in her pockets. Too bright are they! When she walks, they jingle and tling heavenly songs that make the sisters sing.

Yet…her pockets

grow

heavy

from

the weight.

Light is not truly heavy unless it is withheld. To whom much is given much is required and this bearer of light sits quiet in her room and in the quiet feels the tug of darkness from beyond in need of her light. With each tug she hears the Prince in His own voice saying “come.”

“Go.”

“Come.”

“Go.”