One of my jobs on a Sunday, after I get back from church, is to get the fires going. Firepits are a feature of our cellar door and over winter they are a vital accompaniment to conversation, music and a glass of wine or beer.
Standing around a fire, watching the flames, laughing, listening, and sharing is a relaxing and healing experience. But you need wood!
The heavy
By late winter wood supplies can get depleted and it’s a constant task to find, cut and gather firewood. Our firepits are big steel pots. They stand on short legs and the drum is about one meter wide and one meter high. Once they are going, between the direct heat from fire and the radiant heat from the hot steel, they do a wonderful job.
Every week I get asked by visitors what they are made from, and I tell the story of buying these old water filters from Joe Vraca ‘s clearing sale at Murchison. Joe Vraca was a well-known Murchison identity. He grew tomatoes for many years on his farm north of Murchison. He was also a great community man, generously supporting several local charities and other causes, helping to bring many projects to fruition in the Murchison area. There is even a memorial plaque beside the labyrinth in Meteorite Park in his honour. The water filters were used to purify river water for use in irrigation.
But I digress. The need for wood. There is always a lot of light wood available from fallen trees around the property, but I also buy some exceptionally large pieces of gnarly Redgum and Yellow box from a woodyard. I get these for a good price, because they are too hard to split and too large for most people. We are also lucky to have some incredibly good neighbours who drop in some wood from time to time.
Some of the logs we buy or are given are so large that I use the forklift to drop them into the firepit once I have a good bed of coals burning. This Sunday, I was a little later getting home, and there were a few too many people around for me to drive the forklift into the public area, so I decided to use a hand trolly to bring in the big logs. Unwisely, foolishly, in denial of my age, I lifted the first big Redgum log by myself. I knew straight away that this was indeed unwise and foolish. I felt the muscles in my back and shoulders strain. The log I had for the second firepit was even bigger, but this time I got the assistance from our young barman, Elijah. Lesson learned: some weights should never be lifted alone, call for help.
The light
Later in the day as I took time out to sit around the firepit and enjoy the music, my daughter-in-law arrived with my new grandson, Fergus. Fergus is just 12 weeks old and a joy to behold, and to hold. I took him in may arms for a cuddle and to talk baby-talk and see if I could get a smile before trying to get him to go to sleep. I got the smile, but he wasn’t having a bar of sleeping. So, I cuddled and nursed him for some time. Now Fergus is only a little chap and at first, he felt like no weight at all, but after a while I found myself changing him over to my other arm. Them after about 30 minutes I handed him on to some other waiting arms. Lesson learned: it isn’t just the weight that matters, but how long you have to carry it.
The connection
The two stories illustrate essential truths about the burdens we carry in life. The heavy log represents the significant and immediate challenges we face. These burdens can be overwhelming and impossible to handle alone, much like the Redgum log that strained my muscles and required the help of young Elijah. This story underscores the importance of recognizing when a burden is too heavy to bear alone and the necessity of seeking help. There is no shame in asking for assistance; it’s a mark of wisdom and strength to know our limits and reach out when we need support.
On the other hand, holding my grandson Fergus highlights the cumulative effect of carrying even a light burden over an extended period. Initially, holding him felt effortless, but as time passed, the weight seemed to increase, eventually necessitating a change of arms and, ultimately, passing him to another person. This scenario mirrors the reality of long-term, lighter burdens such as stress, anxiety, and regret. These types of burdens may not seem significant at first, but their continuous presence can wear us down, leading to fatigue and exhaustion.
The stories of lifting a log and holding a baby serve as reminders that while life’s burdens come in various forms, they can all be managed with the right support, strategies, and perspective. So, whether your burden feels like a massive log or a small but persistent weight, remember that help is always available, and relief is within reach.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus speaks directly to those of us carrying heavy and prolonged burdens: “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” These verses offer a powerful invitation to find solace and support in faith.
This is the gospel, and it’s good news.
Brian Spencer,
Minister, Waranga Uniting Churches