Reflections

I was asked to write about our house fire experience in the women’s newsletter publication of my church. I found it challenging to tell my story in concise form, trying to blend so many strong feelings and realizations into one writing. So instead, I shared how I was impacted by the experience. Following is the writing I submitted.

I have experienced God’s hand of protection. It was obvious to all of us as a family. We all experienced God’s protection in our lives whether aware of it or not, but this was on such a big scale. This was in the midst of the very dangerous and powerful force of fire. This was realizing that without Gods protection and timing, we all could easily have been killed. It was God that woke us up in the middle of the night, not smoke detectors, not loud noises. It was God’s timing that saved us from being engulfed in smoke and flames just minutes after our exit. We didn’t lose a family member or even a pet. We didn’t lose our photos. All of the most precious and important things we hold dear were saved. I call them my 3 P’s . . .my people, my pets & my pictures. This may sound strange, but there is a certain exhilaration of experiencing God’s protection in an event like this, as awful as it was.

Isaiah 43:2-3
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Possessions are a burden. We experienced a type of freedom, through this fire. I don’t’ know if I can adequately explain this. Maybe you need to live and experience this to understand. Have you ever watched an episode of “Hoarders”? They try to help people who have come under the sickness of hoarding possessions. These people live in filth and squalor because they cling to things and possessions. Or think of someone who lives a life dedicated to missions. Possessions and stuff are of little value to them. There was a certain freeing that took place for us. So when we found our new house and started the process of acquiring possessions, it was especially conflicting for my husband. We sort of questioned whether we were supposed to return to the normal life style. We have learned that things are just things. They are not “who” we are. They don’t define us or control us.

Matthew 6:19-21 19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I have learned to trust God. This is also a faith thing. I never thought of myself as having a large portion of faith. I could relate to Thomas wanting to touch the scars and see for himself before allowing himself to fully believe that Jesus was alive again. But when you experience something on this scale first hand, how can you not gain faith and trust? This is something that will stay with me forever . . . . at least that is my prayer.

Psalm 9:9-10 9 The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.
"Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4

I can let go of trying to control my life. God’s ways are best for me. I can trust Him and what He has set before me for my life. Worrying and trying to predict my life is not really honoring to God. It is not always to my benefit to know what my future holds! A house fire for instance. What is important is that I trust Him and depend on Him as I go through life in all circumstances.

Matthew 6:25-27 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

I need to always be thankful and aware of His love and blessings. Everyday God touches our lives in special ways. Are we paying attention? Do we go back to thank Him or are we more like the nine lepers that didn’t return after they were healed?

Psalm 9:1-21 I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. 2 I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

I need to be ready to obey. Why should I fight His will in my life? Hasn’t He proved Himself trustworthy? Have I forgotten so quickly the miracles and the blessings? What does He have planned for me? I pray that my answer will be, “Yes, Lord.”

God has the power to redeem our circumstances and turn tragedy into blessing in ways we could never imagine. A friend of mine asked, “How can you talk about the fire as a blessing?” Well that is a story I am excited to tell, but not a short story with a quick answer. God was preparing us in the months leading up to the fire. My husband and I were experiencing a renewal and hunger for scripture and learning. We may have responded differently had we not been prepared. He spared all of us from traumatic effects. He moved us into a wonderful and comforting experience living with friends over the summer. (The healing of that important friendship is another separate story in itself.) He provided us with a beautiful new home beyond my expectations. It is a wonderful blessing. He changed our hearts and made us stronger in our faith and trust in Him. He blessed us financially, because of this fire.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 NIV