We have all seen a new candle.  The wick is clean and white.  The long white column of wax is perfectly formed.  And every candle bought is intended for a use.  We unwrap the plastic.  We place it in a holder.  And we place it in a certain place for a distinct reason.

A child is born like a candle purchased.  The baby is placed in the house of its mother and father.  unwrapped from the

womb, the child is lit and placed among us.  Time has begun for the little one.  And soon its candle will burn down by degrees.

My candle is nearing the end.  And I look back at what I have become.  I look back to see what I have done, and am mostly ashamed.  But someone came and moved me to a place where I can light a writing desk.  In this I take heart.  For when I burned in the sinful places I lit the way of sinners.  And now that I am burning closer to the base I am more fit for he who writes.  A long candle sheds less light on the desk and more for the room at large.  But a light which is near the base sheds a better light for pen and ink.

I have done what I have done.  And it cannot be erased.    Yet it is not my past which amazes me.  What can be expected from a life of sin.  It is that The Lord has given me a testimony among His people.  This amazes me.  And for this I give thanks to Him.