Watching my son discover patience, skill and Faith in a single moment

There’s something deeply special about watching your child build their first fire. It’s more than just sparks and sticks — it’s a rite of passage, and a powerful bonding moment.

I remember the moment my first-born son, Zach, carefully arranged his little stack of sticks, just as he’d seen me do countless times before. He was barely three, still with chubby fingers, but the instinct was already there — patience, precision, and a quiet determination to make it work.

The Joy of Passing Down a Timeless Skill

We gathered dry grass and twigs, knelt down together, and I showed him how to start small, feeding the tiniest flame before adding anything bigger. The moment the fire caught, his eyes widened with excitement. “You did it, buddy!” I said, clapping him on the back. He beamed with pride, standing a little taller, warmed by more than just the flames.

Fire-building isn’t just a survival skill — it’s a lesson in persistence, preparation, and trust.

You can’t force it.

You can’t skip steps.

You have to respect the process.

Watching Zach discover this reminded me of how faith grows. Not all at once, but steadily — fed by consistent, intentional effort. A spark here, a flame there, until it becomes something bright and steady.

Passing this on to him wasn’t just about teaching him how to build a fire — it was about lighting something in his spirit that I pray will burn for years to come.

I have been writing for 16 years on various topics. As a father and outdoor adventure leader, I’m passionate about faith, family, nature, and raising kids who love God and the great outdoors. “Raising Outdoor Christian Kids” is my story of lessons learned, fires built, trails walked, and passions passed on.