Reflections on Fire

How do I sum up our life these past couple of weeks?  It’s been a whirlwind.  As I was driving to my mom’s house today through the charred ruins of their neighborhood I was thinking how strange it is that just a few miles away we are back to normal life.  I’m back to digging deep for patience, back to trying to pick toys off the ground, folding laundary, reading stories, eating chocolate, and reading blogs.  Yet, the neighborhood I grew up in is no longer the same.  It literally looks like a bomb went off.  My parent’s home is fine, despite a small fire that was put out on the side of their house by someone they will never meet.  Yet when you walk in the smell of ash hits you. 

Without the knowledge of the One, True, Living God one would look at this scene and see only what was lost, and the randomness of it all.  Homes that were loved and held years of memories gone.  But we know that the Lord is in this.  Nothing is out of His control, and nothing occurs without Him.  He was in control and continues to be working all these events for His glory.  As we drive past charred hillsides and rubble, my son is quick to remind me, “Momma that’s where the fire burned…BUT no one was hurt there!”  We must look to the good we can see in this.  As we been trying to show our kids there is so much to be thankful for in the midst of intense sadness and loss.  The Lord is working and we must train ourselves to see His goodness in the midst of the grief. 

So, it’s good for me to drive to mom and dad’s house and remember.  I used to walk on this street and pass that house down to the corner store.  I used to ride my bike to her house, which no longer stands.  I remember the sleep over we had there…People lived there in those walls, and now they sift through the ash trying to find any last treasures that might remain.  There are no walls left to guard them from the onlookers, there is no privacy while they grieve.  It’s good for me to see and know that although my life is back to normal this week there are people still hurting.  God has provided abundant opportunities right here for us to reach out and love because those hurting are made in the image of our God.  Our lives are but vapors, and can so easily be changed in a heartbeat.  This is a reminder to me to be looking beyond my walls to the One who never changes and knows all things. 

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading my mish-mash of thoughts.