The Fire

House on fire

The Fire

I had a meeting across town last night, and as I’m about to go in my meeting, Tammy texts and says, “Kitchen fire.” I didn’t worry that much – we know supper’s ready when the smoke detector goes off (that’s the running joke in our house, anyway). RJ sent me pictures, and I was a little concerned. No, not just a kitchen fire – it was a fire. It appears there was a short in the switch for the garbage disposal – the fire started on the other side from the stove. Tammy took the spray hose from the sink and put the fire out. The landlord is coming by tomorrow to see what he needs to do.

The fire was almost nothing – we just need to find out what happened and what needs to be done to prevent something worse from happening. I’m thankful the fire was not any more severe. But, at times like that you start thinking and you become grateful for far more:

  • I’m thankful my home is more than a house. We’ve lived in four different states, and we’ve left houses we loved and houses we hated. We even spent some time when, for census purposes, we were homeless. But, the four of us are a home no matter what house we live in.
  • I’m thankful life is more than things. We get so caught up in what we have in life and we forget who we have in life. We become like that rich young ruler or the foolish farmer who place emphasis on material things. Family matters far more than any “thing.”
  • I’m thankful that memories are more than mementoes. I have several material possessions which mean a great deal, not because they are necessarily valuable, but because they are heirlooms from a previous generation. I have a bookshelf made by my great-grandfather, I have china that belonged to my grandmother, and I have my grandfather’s coin collection. Yes, they are just things, but they mean a lot for the memories they hold. But, memories are far deeper and richer than those things.
  • I’m thankful for quick thinking. Because Tammy and the boys were able to think quickly and keep the house from burning down.
  • I’m thankful for modern communication. RJ was able to send me pictures via text to tell me that everything was okay. I attended my meeting with very little worry because modern communication allowed me to know that everything was fine.
  • I’m thankful for a good landlord. Tammy asked me to call Mark today, but I opted to go by his shop. Mark had just left when I got there, but his son was working. I showed the son my pictures, and he called Mark and told him to make a u-turn and come back to the garage ASAP. Mark saw the pictures and is going to make sure everything is just right.
  • I’m thankful for a God who reigns. “God is good.” You betcha; He’s good every moment of every day. But, too often we talk about God’s goodness when things go right in our lives. God is good regardless of what’s going on – regardless of the diagnosis, regardless of the balance in the bank account, regardless of the state of the marriage. But, therein lies our hope – God reigns, and, maybe not in this life, God will make all things right.

Never forget to thank God in all our circumstances. Paul learned to thank God when chained in a Roman prison. May we, like he, develop an attitude of gratitude. God bless you as you walk with Him. Allow Him to walk with you as He has walked with me.

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