The irony of life is amazing; as I ponder the implications of fire, it brings light and warmth and it brings heat and destruction. Fire is often used metaphorically in literature; there is good fire and bad fire. Daniel and his companions were thrown into the fiery furnace; many of us know about this biblical tale. The bible tells us of Daniel’s commitment to obey God and not follow the unjust law of the land. As a young man, Daniel acknowledged his Creator, and determined in his heart to commit his way unto the Lord even if it cost his life. In our world, many of us have been thrown into our own metaphorical fires; confronted with a decision between right and wrong where gray areas exist. How do you handle the flames?
After listening to a speaker on leadership, one point he made was knowing who you are; one must be grounded in your knowledge of who you are created to be, not who they say you are. Since birth many of us were told, “children are seen and not heard”. This saying stuck with me most of my life even into adulthood. For years, I have been quietly living life, and conforming to societal expectations. At times, I have even felt consumed in the flames. Fires afford us opportunities to reflect on who we are and where we will stand. Sometimes, we get overwhelmed by the fact that there’s a fire, but now I instead think about the purpose of the fire. Do these flames seek to kill you or ignite something in you that others need?
I just finished reading Coretta’s Journey: The Life and Times of Coretta Scott King (released 9/26/2023) by Alice Faye Duncan. I am a picture book bookaholic. Many adults and some educators think picture books are just for children, but I differ. The vivid pictures and illustrations beautifully convey the emotions of the characters’ lives; these characters’ stories may be similar to our own and they help us see through a period in our lives that may not be so clear. Sometimes the fires we get thrown into, blur our vision and we cannot see past the flames. Not only do the pictures help us see, the words act as a water hose dousing the flames and clearing a path to freedom. Each story’s message encourages individuals to live without getting burned by having the courage to withstand the fire or remove one’s self from the situation and help others do the same. Duncan’s portrait of Mrs. King’s literal and symbolic fires deepens our human resolve to stand up for justice in spite of years of adversity. In the section of the book, Alabama Fire, young Corretta’s family endures home and business fires meant to destroy property and the spirit of the Scott family, but they remain resilient.
Like Mrs. King, I have learned that education is a key to change; “books are freedom” the author writes. But it is not just the books that provide freedom; it is what we do with the information learned from those books that really matter. It is our voice that makes way for change; it is also our actions that make way for change. Even if we do not see the change happening, we must be resolved to be unmoved by what we see and sometimes even feel. We must focus, we must remain, we must be steadfast. Corretta did, and so can we.
You are here for a purpose, and you must seek it out and complete it. Daniel’s determination to honor his God did not change because of the fire he faced. He and those that followed him withstood the furnace and while in the mist of the heat; his help allowed him not to even smell like smoke. Can you imagine that? They did not even have the scars of the battle. I am not sure of the fire you are facing right now; we all are in life’s furnace. Is it a mental fire? Is it a physical fire? Is it an emotional fire? Is it a family fire? Is it a professional fire? This is your moment; you can overcome it. The flames are meant to ignite something in you to help others. In the midst of the heat, you can shine your light. Do not die (bad fire kills), choose life (good fire births).
Lighting the way,
Fiya Librarian
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