Each morning a fire is started. Surrounding the fire are good folks, some that gather every day.  Aside from the good wood, there is a kindness and likeness that binds them (us). “Keeping the home fires burning” is a daily event here.

Learning how to start a fire fascinated me at a young age (don’t we all have a story of when we shouldn’t have used those matches or lighters?).   Gathering the kindling was an important task.  “Boys, go gather the limbs and twigs!”  There is always a fire expert in the group that will create the perfect structure to burn (remember to allow space between for ventilation so the oxygen can be delivered easily!).   Who doesn’t wish to stare into the fierce, dazzling, hot, reddish, and sometimes blue heated licks of light?  And to make it even more magnificent add these items: a stick, hotdog, marshmallow, chocolate, graham crackers-too many delectable decisions to make.

It seems our world can be quite smoky.   It can be thick and pungent.  Its gray fumy haze can be noxious, environmentally unfriendly, and downright fatal.   The fires that burn aren’t the kind we gather around to sing “Kum Ba Yah” (kumbaya) like the ones I remember fondly from church camp.   Perhaps we can find efficient kindling (kindness, compassion, empathy, mercy, love, generosity, honesty, politeness, responsibility, fairness, respect, and humility) to create a spark of unity.  One that can ignite a dark world with light-a glowing warmth that comforts us through the chill, frost, and briskness of life.

To whom can we kindle kindness? I see you stay-at-home Moms and Dads who are giving 100% and feeling drained, I feel you divorcees who don’t know what step to take, I pray for you widow or widower all alone. I hurt for the jobless, I sympathize with those apart from family, I ache for those that can’t hold their loved ones sick in the hospital, I sing for those who don’t have a voice, I write for those that can’t think, feel, or understand, I walk for those who can’t take a step, I have faith for those in fear of the world around them, I feel hope for those depressed, I pray peace for those too anxious, I have empathy to those experiencing new changes in life, and I love those who don’t feel loved.   💚

What’s going to light a fire under you?  Don’t burn out.  Let the breath of God fan the flame of your uniqueness and existence.  Let hope be your flame and love, your light.   

Have faith 💚

• 

• 

•