Tag: campground

Faith by Fire

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Her kindness kindled my heart. She didn’t know my morning had backfired. My Spirit was smoky from the morning brushfires. The flare-ups tried to extinguish me. Her special spark of warmheartedness spared me from an inferno of insecurity.

“Are you scheduled today, Karla?” I showed the amazing secretary the assignment on the app. “Oh, that was a last-minute request, yes, I see. A retired teacher is already in that room. It’s covered. Do what you need to do.” The look on her face was so…caring. Her eyes pierced my heart. “I’ll do whatever you need,” I replied. She shared there were a LOT of sick kids in that room. “I worry for your immune system, Karla.” Tears brimmed my eyes. “I’ll see you again soon, I hope,” I shared as we exchanged goodbyes. Her attitude was an arson I needed-inspiration was ignited. My faith fire was lit again. So here I am, sharing this spark from a fire that has been growing inside of me.

 There are trials by fire and times in the hot seat. Scans, scars, and keeping score can scorch.  My energy can be extinguished by the unexpected.

Long before the tragic wildfires, I spoke with a few fellow faithful writers about fireside conversations. Thoughts of interviews and “flaming” the fires of faith consumed me. Not to mention that sitting by fires have a special place in my soul. Fighting illness, the “unknowns”, and living in the “now” is difficult in a world with brush fires popping up every second. Even if you’re not caught in a crossfire, the enemy might enflame. What do you do?

Before I go to Google, I take it to God. “God, I trust you. No matter what. There’s so much I don’t understand. Keep my faith fire burning, Heavenly Papa. Don’t let me burn out. Keep my faith ablaze so I can illuminate your love.”

Pull up a chair and let’s talk about the good things of life. I see you; I hear you. I understand. Today seemed another trial by fire. Instead it fueled my fire of faith.

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K.L. Hale

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World Kindness Day 2020

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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.   

Have faith 💚