Kindled Kindness
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.
Lovely and generous hearted, Karla. ❤ It's kind of like my daily prayer, "God don't let anything bad happen to anyone."
God goes, "Do you know what is BAD? Sometimes the worst things are the necessary things. You of all people should know that!"
"I get that God, but just for today?"
His answer is always, "Oh little one. Take your dog for a walk." ❤
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Thank you so much ❣️Martha, What a beautiful conversation with God. He tells me the same thing at times. 🐶💕
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Karla that was a lovely post! I remember the first time I made a fire without matches. What an accomplishment! I hope that my words give warmth to anyone who needs it. As yours do to me.
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Thank you so much Pam. It is an accomplishment to make a fire without matches. Way to go! I took an outdoor class and we had to start a fire ~but I had my flint lol. Your words do indeed provide warmth 💚 thank you for your support.
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You have a flame inside of you that makes everyone you meet happy. You brighten my life everyday. I know I can be Smokey at times. Love always and forever J
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Awweee you are no “smoke and mirrors.” Your words are so kind and sweet. Thank you so much. Love can lift the staleness and smokiness indeed. I love you F and A ❣️
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❤️🔥❤️
I love this!!
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Thank you so much~you were in many pictures and thoughts. 🔥❤️😊 I appreciate your support
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Such a beautiful human you are my friend. Have a great week-end ❤️
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Thank you my friend. I feel the same about you. Have a wonderful weekend too. ❣️❣️
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And I pray that I’m the kindling that can catch the world on fire with love… Maybe that breeze I feel is the holy spirit blowing on me to help me burn brightly…
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Beautiful! You are kindling indeed. 💚🙏🏻
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Beautiful thoughts Karla. Being kind and compassionate is my religion 💖🙏
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Thank you so much, Ashok. Your response is wonderful 🙏🏻
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Significant thoughts shared in tough times, Karla.
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Thank you, Mark. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Let the fires of love keep your heart burning bright forever and a day
producing great kindness shared with us all! Thank you very much, Karla
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Thank you, Eddie for your kind words! I’ll keep it up! Stay blessed.
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I was raised in a “religious” home filled with hate, anger, abuse absolutely no joy, laughter or kindness. These were emotions & concepts i had to learn after leaving home & have to work on everyday. Karla your joy, peace & taking so much pleasure in the simple things we see around us each day & the positive thoughts we should have always inspires me. I thank God for putting you in my life! 😊😄💝
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Vicki, you’re a blessing to me as well. Thank you for sharing about your childhood. Life is a journey indeed. And our experiences as we age truly help us define what our truth is to the core. And when we realize that God is our center, life becomes way more worth living for and enjoying every moment each day. It’s the simple things that truly matter isn’t it Vicki? Love and peace my friend! 💚🤗
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An inspiring post and a beautiful blog. To be really kind we need to soften our ego.
Regards and best wishes 😊
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Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts. I agree with you about ego. Best wishes and stay blessed!
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Karla, this is a lovely, lovely post! God is so good in the midst of the hard places, He is always enough!
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Thank you, Pam. 💚 Your words are true and comforting.
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Thank you for this uplifting post! You help me remember what’s really important, and that is particularly comforting these days.
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You’re welcome, Ann and thank you for your sweet response. 💚
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Lovely post. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you so much friend. 💚
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As a former chemistry teacher, I can attest to the allure of fire. Bunsen burner days were always special in my class! 🙂 Let’s hope that God’s love can ignite a fire in each one of us to pursue kindness, empathy, and love. What a beautiful post for World Kindness Day!
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I can see you and your classroom so vividly! I’m with you! 💚
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lovely post 🙂
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Thank you so much for stopping by and the nice comment! 😊
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As I read this, I am reminded of Tim McGraw’s words that our world needs to be “humble and kind.”
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I love that song. Thank you for your response and support.
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Words of love delivered with hope. Thank you. 💛 I found the song “You Say” by Lauren Daigle last week and even in the short two weeks that has followed it has helped me remember that it is in God that our worth is found.
Peace to you and family, and a warm fire to gather around, and all the hospitality that this with it.
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Thank you my friend 💚 Lauren Daigle has been one of my favorite artists for quite some time. That song has been too. I’m so glad you found it. It says everything about the true love that we can only feel from our Heavenly Papa. Peace to you my friend 🙏🏻
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