This kind of encounter with God drops me to my knees.
It was an ordinary day of packing up my laptop, cords, books, banana, and water before heading up the hill to write. At the last minute, I squeezed in my sketchbook. It’s heavy and cumbersome, two reasons that make it a rare haul.
I climbed the hill, spread out my goods on the desk, and prayed. Lifting up our community here on the blog is nothing new, but over the past few weeks, I’ve also prayed for our NEW Facebook Group, Creative Pauses. It’s a newborn babe and I feel like a first-time mother.
But something more was stirring.
I opened the sketchbook and laid it flat with bright white (and blank) pages facing up. I didn’t want to form a Facebook Group just for the purpose of saying I have one or for polishing up a book proposal.
If life has taught me anything it’s that authentic community is a rare and treasured gift.
And this is when God moved in such a way that all I could do was hang on for dear life. In rapid-fire delivery, specific images along with words, sentences, and paragraphs targeted my sketchbook.
It began with a campfire.
So I drew one in the center of my page, and these words quickly followed:
I imagine a campfire with roaring flames in the middle of a wide-open field.
The field is surrounded by homes of all sizes and shapes. Inside, are imperfect people from all stages of life who love, create, wrestle with sin, offer grace, homeschool, and worship. They are our homes.
One-by-one we make our way toward the campfire blazing in the distance.
Moving closer, we hear crackle! and pop! from well-seasoned wood and catch the indelible scent of smoke flowing through the field. Eventually, we all move close enough to notice benches and blankets placed around the fire. Picnic baskets overflowing with the finest of foods fill in the spaces.
We didn’t gather the wood.
We didn’t split the kindling or light the fire.
We didn’t prepare the food or pour the Chick-fil-A tea.
God prepared it for us.
A place for us to come and gather around the campfire to share our stories, to tell of His goodness, to marvel at His handiwork, and to consider His great love for us.
“Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43 NIV
When we intentionally choose to step away from our to-do’s to pause and reflect on the goodness of our God⏤and receive it⏤we cultivate a life of continuous worship.
The kind of life God uses to help heal relationships, bring change to communities, and impact the future generations we will never know.
When we get up and return to our homes surrounding the field, we continue to feel the warmth on our backs.
And our clothes still carry the holy and exquisite scent of biblical community. 
I fully believe this “download” was for us⏤for this community of believers who believe there’s more to the Christian life than checking off a list of scriptures read, and a prayer prayed while scurrying out the door. Both are valuable, but we are confident that one of the many benefits of being His is being able to meet with Him⏤to listen, and to receive. As Lysa TerKeurst says in her book, “Made to Crave”:
We were made for more.
And this is why I created our Facebook Group, Creative Pauses. It’s simply an extension of the community we share here. But there, we can all join in the conversation. By joining the group, you will also have access to helpful downloads, fun giveaways, and special events like this one coming up on September 17th:
Do you feel the warmth of God’s presence in this place? Here are two ways to move toward the campfire:
- Simply type your e-mail address in the sidebar (just below “Coloring Pages” with the bird in flight) to subscribe to the blog. I post every other week and you’ll also receive a monthly letter. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- Join our Facebook GROUP, Creative Pauses!
And, what campfire would be complete without a mug full of coffee (after the Chick-fil-A tea, of course)?
Share in the comments your favorite part of a campfire and your name will be included in a random giveaway for this delightful mug!
See you there! Creative Pauses Facebook Group
Image @ Canstock Sportactive
My favorite part of a campfire is s’mores! It’s always nice to share a little something sweet with people we love.
The best thing about a campfire is that it brings friends together and warms hearts as well as hands!
Connie, I couldn’t agree more. Toasty hearts and hands! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
My favorite part of a camp fire are the s’mores.
A campfire brings you back to the joys and innocence of childhood days! You talk, share stories, laugh and when it’s over your soul has been filled.
It truly does, Jeanie. I have such good memories of past campfire experiences and I have a feeling you do too. Thank you for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
My favorite part of a camp fire are the glowing cinders jetting in circles and waves. I am of the opinion they are the real fireflies :-).
I am of the opinion you could be onto something, Charla! 🙂 What a lovely thought.
My favorite part is the warmth and comfort of the fire and people around it. On another note I loved what you said about the scent of the fire staying with us after we leave- what a picture you painted of the nourishment community gives us.
Thank you, Marilyn. God is so good, so personal. I appreciate you taking the time to share. Blessings!
My favorite part is listening to the sounds of the night.
Yes, Tabitha! There’s something about the sounds that happen when the sun goes down. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share!
My favorite part of sharing a campfire is when it’s late at night, or very early hours of morning. The fire is low; the embers give off a glow; and everyone else has retired long ago. I sit quietly with a cup of strong black coffee and just me and God review the hours of laughter, tears, prayer, and support we had just shared with the others earlier. In these quiet moments, with just the faint crackle of the wood as its life is nearly expended as a backdrop, I listen for God to guide me in what I can say or do to help some who had shared life with me so graciously.
J.D., I love everything about your description, and especially your relationship with the Lord. It blesses us all.
My favorite part of a campfire is the fellowship. The stories that get shared. The tears that may secretly be wiped away. And of course, all the giggles to make me “Tickled Pink”!!!!
Yes, Tammy! Bring on the giggles! Sharing stories around the campfire is what makes it such a memorable experience. Blessings, friend!
I love the sound of the crackle of the fire, the flames dancing in the night sky, and the smell! Ah, I love a good campfire smell that lingers on your clothes for days!
I agree, Josie! The smell lets the experience linger a little longer. Thank you for taking the time to share. 🙂
Around campfires Iove the singing and fellowship
Glenda, this brings back sweet memories as a Girl Scout way back when. 🙂
My absolute favorite part of the campfires I have been around is the camaraderie that has never failed to develop quickly, even among the most diverse participants. Drawn together in such an intimate, peaceful setting, almost-mesmerized by the flames, people have always connected more authentically and deeper around those campfires.
I love this perspective, Patti. Thank you for taking the time to share it here. Blessings!
My favorite part of a campfire is the warmth that’s communicated through all five senses, a totally warming experience. 🙂
I agree, Sandra — it’s a warming experience in every way. 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
It doesn’t surprise me that you would want to share with others. You’re a blessing, Lisa!!
Yes, Jamie!! I couldn’t agree more. I’ll bring the chocolate squares. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share!
My favorite part of sharing a campfire is conversation, a sense of community, a time to be vulnerable, and always the lingering scents.
Yes, Tammy! The lingering scent of a campfire is a delightful fragrance, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing!
My favorite part of the campfire is the warmth. You can feel your cheeks turning red!
And they stay that way for a while which makes it even better! Thanks for stopping by, Kim!
I love the way a fire makes every person’s face glow and a big fire reminds me of camp from childhood and teen years.
I agree, Melanie. They say that our sense of smell is the strongest of the five and I believe it. There’s something about the scent of a big fire that sticks with us throughout the years. 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to share!
I’ve never need much of an “outdoor girl”, but recently I’ve found such a peace being outside! My favorite part of a campfire is lively the s’mores we will inevitably make, but I also live just watching the fire flicker!
I grew up camping only because I had an Eagle Scout for a dad. 🙂 So I’m not too outdoorsy either but like you, I can appreciate a blazing fire, especially when it delivers s’mores on a stick. I’m delighted you stopped by, Courtney!
Perfectly captured in my mind’s eye! Love the campfire metaphor, from the crackling wood, to the we didn’t do any of the work, to the heat on our backs and the holy scent of God clinging to us. LOVE it! Gonna keep that in my mind today. 🙂
Your mind’s eye perfectly captured it indeed, Angie!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I’m glad it connected.
The aroma and smoke rising in the air remind me of the sacrifices made in the temple. We now are the temple due to the sacrifice Jesus made. It is our will to the old self that we sacrifice which becomes a sweet aroma to God and those around us.
I love this, Bonnie. Yes and amen!
Love this so much! Yes our longing for connection and real community is multiplied in these days!
Hi, Ginger! It’s so true. I know I have a greater appreciation for community after being isolated for several months. It’s one of God’s greatest gifts. I’m thankful for you. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!
Wow, Cathy. What a powerful picture, and what a beautifully written post! I really enjoyed reading it.
Thank you, Beth! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you taking the time to share. Miss you!
My favorite part of the campfire is that it allows time to breathe deeply and relax. To rest and release stress.
Yes, Pam! It’s the perfect spot for R & R and it’s one of my favorites too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely, without a doubt, the flickering light and the calming sounds. I could skip the smell and save my allergies so a virtual campfire is just the thing. I wonder if I could find a soundtrack with cracking fire sounds to play as the weather turns cold?
I totally understand, Patricia! The smoke isn’t a friend to my allergies as well but I do so love the scent. I have no doubt there is such a thing as a crackling fire available. 🙂 Love that idea! Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
My favorite part of the campfire is the sound and the smell.
I agree, Sue. Both are hard to beat. 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to share!
I joined Girl Scouts when my youngest daughter was 5 years old and for the next 13 years, we were Scouts, with all the fun things to do. Camping and campfires were always a favorite but it was more about the being together, laughing and enjoying each other that was special for me. The girls would sit with their arms around each other and it was so good to just feel the love.
I agree! My scout memories are similar. There is something special about a campfire, isn’t there? 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to share, Eva!