The Old Oil Lantern

The Old Oil Lantern

An oil lantern used well in earlier years,

Brings back to mind moments lit with happiness and tears.

Now dimpled and bent from former usage and age,

A calm faint fragrance reminds me of sage.

It looks dull from the buildup of tarnish and dust,

Yet the sticky trace of oil smells sweet, not of heavy musk.

Why is it hidden as if ashamed?

Didn't it once produce a wonderful flame?

It has long been set off to the closet’s darkened side,

Other things taking place where life and distraction now commonly reside.

But rediscovered this day it soon becomes clear,

This offers great treasure as it is cradled once again near.

Upon closer inspection it still has good form,

Even though it looks quite tattered and worn.

Get out a cloth, coat it with paste,

Rub it tenderly, without haste.

What is that shine trying to reappear?

The sparkle is returning, look it is here.

Wow, look at it now, how can we miss,

The beauty it imparts now back in our midst?

Bring out fresh oil, we'll refill it again,

Ignite and share the flame burning from within.

Why did we hide it because it was old,

Why didn't we realize it glowed of gold?

Annette Monts Falls

Words given Friday, February 8, 2008

During moments last night again fighting insomnia, words began to take shape, a visual was forming. God calmed me and spoke in gentle whispers. Annette, Dear Child never give up. Your value remains, even if hidden for a while. You have always had a light deep inside. Troubles caused you to want to hide. The vessel remains. Rediscover it, study it then understand, the light can be rekindled, it need not disappear. The fragrance left with you will always smell bittersweet, very often you feel overwhelmed, used up and worn; often the bitter seems to overtake the welcomed sweet. Yet struggles have provided the best cloth to use for polishing your treasure held within. Passion and fragrance grow and fade. Times seem dark and thick sometimes, covered over by gray fog. Make use of this “paste” wisely, and you will find that your vessel again can begin to shine. Fill your heart, let it freely spill. I live inside you. I feed your heart with special, life giving oil. Good things, bad things, it can take a toil……….just remember I will always be with you, supplying the nourishing light from within your heart with abundant oil. Isn't God wonderful to supply our oil? We can use the struggles as our very best paste. We can turn them into polish that brings forth comfort and light. We are all vessels to His use. Some of us are resilient like metal, some appear fragile and broken like Clay, yet we all are put through fire to become who He intends us to be. Both can be strong and withstand, side by side, made by God’s hands used together to the Glory of His Name. love and hugs, Annette