The Fire

The storm was thunderous that night. 
Torrential rains cascaded from the sky like run-a-way bullets shot from a massive gun, pounding tree limbs and roof tops as they fell. The darkened sky only grew more black as the hours passed until the sky gave way to night and a carpet of shadowy clouds were all that remained.
Thunder blasted and lightening lit up the sky with an intensity that made sleeping children and adults alike sit up straight in bed.

It was about 4am when my friends felt their home shake like a loud explosion had been set off in one of their upstairs rooms.  Stunned by the sudden jolt, they got their bearings and slid out of bed to check on their surroundings. Each room they laid eyes on seemed to be in tact, unaffected by whatever they'd heard and felt.
All seemed well.
And then, out of a window, in the middle of this eerie, early morning downpour they saw the figure of a neighbor running across the street towards their house and when she got there, her announcement was grave.
Fire.
Their home, near the back, was on fire. Set ablaze by a renegade lightening bolt that had flashed out of the sky into their rooftop.

They only had moments to put on some clothes and grab a few important pieces of memorabilia before their whole home seemed to be caught up in the blaze. They stood and watched as the fire claimed their house. 
Their possessions. 
Their photos. 
Their memories.
What the fire didn't devour, the smoke engulfed and the water from the truck engines destroyed.
Most everything was gone. And after having raised 7 children and having settled into retired living, there was alot that the fire took with it.

This past Sunday, I drove over to look for myself and I gasped when I saw their gorgeous surroundings demolished and devastated by such unbelievable circumstances.

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I've been in contact with my friends. Hoping to possibly offer a bit of encouragement while they walk through circumstances that are not only emotionally draining but also physically exhausting. How do you even begin to fill voids that insurance may help cover but can never fully recreate? Some things are just priceless.
Yes . . .these folks are worn. Tired. Hurt. Shocked. Stunned.
The list could go on.

Which is why I was overwhelmed to see this message texted from them to me:

God is faithful, girl!

Yup. That's exactly how the message was sent to me. Punctuated with an exclamation point for emphasis, they spouted the faithfulness of God despite the fire. 
Hear that again: The faithfulness of God is worth exalting even when you are in the fire.

Are you in the fire right now? Is your life suffering underneath some heated situation that seems too hot to handle? Is the smoke so thick that you wonder if you'll ever get a full breath of fresh air ever again?
Maybe so, my friend. 
But still . . there is something to praise God for.
If for no other reason than this: you've been through it and have lived to tell the story.

So, start right now. Whether you comment on this blog or text a friend, take a moment to think of one thing that deserves an exclamation point to emphasize your gratefulness to the Lord for all that He has done.

Thank you Lord.
Priscilla