A People Who Love
Everette and I went to church totally unaware that our lives would be turned upside down in a few short hours. After going out for lunch we drove home. When we neared our turnoff we saw fire trucks with flashing lights approaching. Everette quickly turned into the road that leads to our house. The trucks also turned, and Everette pulled over to the side of the road to let them pass. My phone rang. Lynn screamed. “Mom, Mom, the house is on fire!! I’m so sorry; it wasn’t enough that we disrupted your entire lives. Now we have destroyed your house.” Katherine and Luke were hysterical. (I didn’t know they were not home, and that neighbors had contacted Lynn.) Parking on the street, we ran down our driveway where we saw more fire trucks, firemen, friends, neighbors and strangers, many with open arms. Smoke was pouring from one of the upstairs bedrooms. I was frantic as I searched for Lynn, Katherine and Luke, and was relieved to learn they were not home. Our pastor, Dr. Jimmy Long, and members of our small group came and stayed with us all afternoon. Friends from our church put a tarp over the section of the house that was burned. Lives were turned upside down that day due to an electrical fire that began in an upstairs storage area. Lynn and her five children were homeless for the second time in less than two years. It would be five weeks before we found a place where they could be together again as a family. The outpouring of love from church family, neighbors, family, friends and strangers was overwhelming. Our house was damaged, our home has been restored with improvements, and the wind chimes are singing, “God is good and His mercy endures forever.”
Prayer:
Father-God, I thank You for the Body of Christ! We have been raised up to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus! I am a citizen along with all of Your holy people. I am so grateful that I am a member of Your family. Together, we are Your house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, and the cornerstone is Christ Jesus, my Lord and Elder Brother. You have joined us together in Him and we are becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Holy Spirit, help me think of ways to motivate others to acts of love and good works. When we meet together, give me words of encouragement, especially now that the day of Your return is drawing near, in the Majestic Name of Jesus.
Scripture References: Ephesians 2:6, 19-21; Hebrews 10:24-25