He really, really liked peanut butter….. Yes, that was my first response when I was asked to think of something unique about Mark. He actually loved peanut butter. If I were to die before him… he had a plan in place. He was going to eat only graham crackers and peanut butter so that he could join me sooner than later.

Who was asking me for this information? It was Josh, my landscaper. Springtime was here and his crew was busy planting trees and seeing that they were sprinkled properly. Graciously, Josh had already offered to provide the lighting for the flagpole in tribute to Mark, someone he had never met. So very kind!

Now Josh was asking me for something unique about Mark and I was drawing a blank! He further explained that he had wanted to do something nice for me as the homeowner but in this case he was hoping to do something for my children. Something that they would recognize as uniquely “Dad.” Unsatisfied with peanut butter, I told him that I would need some time and I went and sat in my basement home and tried to think.

“I know who I am. I know God’s plan. I’ll follow Him in faith.”

That was a line from one of Mark’s favorite songs. Hmmmm. Still not there. Then it hit me! Mark’s liked a lot of songs but there was one that stood out as unique.

The Candle Song – that’s what we called it.

To be truthful I used to feel a bit of annoyance at this song. It showed up in our lives and Mark seemed obsessed. He bought the music and had our girls learn to play it on the piano so that they could and sing along with him. I don’t think that I had ever heard it performed – just with giggles and laughter around the piano. “The Candle Song” became a bit of a joke with the family but we loved him and humored him and he would laugh at himself and at us.

Sitting there in the basement I knew that this song needed to somehow be incorporated into our yard. The children would unmistakably know that it was honoring their father. Just to make sure I casually asked the family chat if anyone knew of Dad’s favorite song (along with other random questions). The response was definitely “The Candle Song.”

Sitting there in the basement I also thought that perhaps I should listen to the song and look at the lyrics. Wow! The past faded away and right there and then… I was hearing it for the first time. Sitting there in the basement it was as though Mark was sending a message directly to me and yes, I enjoyed a good cry. Rrally – I did enjoy it. I felt like I was getting my marching orders as I listened to the chorus.

“Take your candle and go light your world!”

“Your” candle now meant “my” candle. Whatever light I could muster on a given day. Sometimes my candle is bright, sometimes a bit dim – but I do have a candle. We all have a candle. What should we do with it?

The song says, “Go light your world.”

Here again I noticed for the first time that it said “your” world and I felt that Mark was telling me this meant “my” world. My little sphere in which I exist. I don’t have to worry about lighting the whole world, but I can light “my” world. My home, my people, my activities, my strangers, my interactions… I can bring my candle along with me wherever I go.

I am aware that Mark’s passing essentially snuffed out my candle, leaving just that little wisp of smoke. Mark, however, was not the source of light. Jesus Christ is the source of my light and He is still with me. The song says, “There is a Spirit who brings a fire. Ignites a candle and makes His home.”

I’ve been working to keep that little flame burning so that my world will have warmth and light. I am grateful for people who share with me their light. We all know that when two candles touch their flames are brighter than before. Thank you, thank you to everyone who takes their candle and lights their world. Thank you, thank you to everyone who has helped to light my world and reignite my own candle. There is a line that says, “the lonely, the tired and worn.” I feel that this describes much of my past year but there have been a multitude of candles helping to light my way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

You may be thinking that you have seen my new yard and there must be something symbolic somewhere hidden in the landscaping because you have not noticed anything different? Well, it is not flashy and it is not meant to be. It is hidden in plain sight and I love the classy subtleness. Let me tell you where to find it.

I put a rock at the base of the flagpole as a place to stand to raise or lower the flag. One day Josh asked if he could borrow it – and when it reappeared it looked like this:

I love it and not because it was one of Mark’s favorite songs. I love it because it is now one of my favorite songs and I believe it contains my marching orders that he would ask of me if he could. You may be thinking that my candle is a bit weak, but give me time. Give me time and worry about your own candle. I might figure out how to expand my little world I hope that my flame will grow as well. I might find that I am quite content in my little world so thank you for joining me here. I hope that you can see my little candle, feel a little warmth and enjoy the light that comes for both of us as we join our flames together from time to time.

Take your candle and go light your world! If you are unfamiliar with the song please click here and enjoy! If you know the song, please click here and be freshly inspired. If you visit me take a moment to check out my flagpole candle stone – take a moment to remember Mark and consider your own candle —- and go light your world!

(Thank you Josh)

Go Light Your World by Chris Rice

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he’s tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she’s been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

‘Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let’s raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world