I used to love fireworks. When I was young I'd save up money (way more then my parents ever wanted me to), go to the fireworks store with my dad the week before July 4th and spend everything I had. I remember the excitement leading up to that night, organizing and planning how I would set them off, in what order, which would be saved for the finale. Then the night would come and everyone on our street would bring their fireworks to our circle and we'd set them off together. There was something about playing with fire, the smell of the gunpowder, the danger, the bangs and lights in the sky that was exhilarating. It was the one time of the year I was allowed to be a pyromaniac.
Now I don't get excited about fireworks anymore. I still like to watch them but the investment of time and money just doesn't seem worth the few seconds of thrill that I get form them. I guess I've come to realize that the fireworks are just brief, short and temporary. Perhaps I've discovered larger and better things to invest my resources in. Maybe I'm just old. I'd like to think I've become wise and no longer live my life for the immediate reward, but have a longer term perspective. Not sure which.
Tonight, instead of playing with fireworks I'm spending my time taking a bunch of soda and popsicles out to a local park and giving them away for free (if the weather holds out.) Why? To tell people that God Loves Them. That's all. No strings attached. Probably no immediate rewards. Not as fun to watch as fireworks but the long term results will be far richer.
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