A Big Fear

This morning Pete woke me because a house on the next block was on fire. We live in a small neighborhood on a hill, just 3 blocks wide by one block long, large lots, all manufactured homes on permanent foundations, most with upgrades to make them more "house-like"...but when these homes catch fire, they go up quickly and are gone in minutes. Pete had heard on the radio that they "got the patient out" - when I got up the ambulance was leaving, its lights flashing - and I thanked God for that blessing. But the homeowner may not feel blessed to lose everything he owns. I have heard that a fire is one of the most traumatic events that we can experience, and I hope that I only will others' word to know that and never have to experience it myself.

One summer afternoon we smelled smoke in our home. Turns out that the circuit box was in a meltdown situation, sending out smoke signals through the clothing - brilliant, putting that in the back of the master bedroom closet...NOT! While Pete called the fire department, my sister who was visiting at the time and I started carrying bird cages out the front door as quickly as we could. Even if we didn't have a fire, smoke or fumes can kill birds quickly. As we set up the cages out in the yard, the volunteer fire department arrived. Our African grey was greeting them with, "Hi guys!" and "Go to work!" which only amused those of us who love him :) while the others watched with great interest. The firefighters turned the main power off at the pole (supposedly...we discovered later that we still had power to the stick-built addition to the house) and declared an all-clear. After letting them soak up the sunshine and fresh air for a couple of hours, we brought the precious parrots back inside...but knowing how quickly these home are destroyed, I know that I couldn't get all of my sweet parrots out, especially were I here alone, and my 4 dogs and my cat.

Of all the things that I don't want to happen, I could deal with going forward into my own eternity before I'd want to deal with losing those I love - family, friends, or pets...or even belongings - and this morning my heart is heavy for the neighbor I've never met but whose life is now so changed. I know that God often uses tragedy to bring about the greatest blessings, and I pray for that in my neighbor's life because, really, how else could I pray?