The flame is a symbol of the spirit, so I suppose it is no surprise that I find such inspiration in making soybean wax candles. Each week, I sell my candles at a local farmer's market, where the people I meet also inspire me. For instance, I love when people tell me their likes and dislikes: they give me ideas for new candle scents that sometimes go on to become best sellers. I love watching couples choose which candles to buy (not an easy task when they have different tastes in smells) because the interactions can be very romantic. I love watching smiles light up peoples' faces when they come across a familiar fragrance that recalls a pleasant memory or a nice feeling.

All of these experiences nourish and inspire my spirit. But none so much as the one I had several months ago.

It was just before Christmas. A little boy and his mother were walking down the isle of the market. The little boy cut across the isle, making a beeline for my booth. I thought he was going to smell all of my candles, which most kids like to do.ÊChildren usually are drawn to the many colors and they also seem to want to sniff each and every one. This particular little boy was around five years old. Strangely, he did not look at all at the colorful candles, neither did he appear to want to smell them. He just stood there, intently watching one of the candles I had burning.

As a mother of two children, I instinctively knew he wanted to blow the candle out. Sure enough, the little boy began to blow. Not too hard though, perhaps because he knew he didn't have permission to blow the candle out. Nevertheless, the temptation was there and I saw him make a couple moreÊattempts to extinguish the flame.

His mother realized what he was trying to do and asked him to stop. I could see that he really wanted to blow out that candle, so I picked it up and took it to him as he began to walk away. I told him he could blow it out once. As he took a breath I said Make a wish! I don't know why I said this. Perhaps it is a reflex response honed over many years of watching children prepare to blow out candles on birthday cakes. In any case, I figured he'd wish for some kind of toy or other material thing. After all, Christmas was just around the corner; what else would he wish for?

Imagine my surprise when he quietly and intently said, I wish there is a God and blew out the candle.

I simply can't describe how moved I was. Tears instantly welled up in my eyes and my heart began to pound. I couldn't speak.

As that beautiful little soul walked away from my booth, I found myself overcome with love and a fervent hope that his simple yet profound wish would be true.

The experience taught me two valuable lessons: never assume anything about anyone and always be true to your spirit.

That little five-year-old boy may never know how deeply he touched a life that day. But I will always carry with me the knowledge that one small act can provide an avalanche of inspiration and a feast of nourishment for our hungry spirits.

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