“Never fear, for I am always with you; I am your God." ~ Isaiah
41:10
In the summer of his 7th
year, the home Chase had grown up in burned to the ground in the middle of the
night. Luckily everyone escaped … in
nothing but their pajamas.
They returned the next morning to find their home resembled
something out of a horror movie; twisted plastic and burnt ashes, nothing had
escaped the inferno. The charred remains
of their house stood hollow as the soul of a skeleton.
It had been so alive, so vibrant. Inside had been a place of love and security,
a place with memories and warmth. Gone
were his favorite books, his baseball glove (and the trophy from last season),
even his laptop.
Finally he screamed! It had a primal intensity that told of
urgency and desperation; the raw sound of a child in emotional pain. When his Dad tried consoling him, Chase fell
to the ground crying, pleading with God to help his family.
He looked up to see tears in Dad’s eyes too. “It’s OK buddy,” he said in a reassuring
voice. “Even though we’re sad, things
will get better. We’ll get through this
together.”
Chase stood up and turned to face a gathering crowd.
But these weren’t gawkers … but the faces of friends, church
members, and a community who arrived with support to help them get back on their
feet. A neighbor offered the use of an
empty rental house they owned a few blocks over for “as long as they needed.”
While their home still smoldered, a local business was
established as a drop-off spot for donations.
Dad received checks and cash right there on the spot. Neighbors they barely knew, offered
furniture, clothes, and even toys and books for the children. Over the weeks that followed, others called,
sent care packages and wrote loving cards and emails.
Meanwhile Dad had returned to blackened wreckage to see what
he could salvage. The only thing he found
was Mom’s wedding rings. The plastic
case she’d put them in that night had melted around them and shielded them from
the flames.
It took Chase a while but he finally understood that God had
answered his prayer. He’d watched over
and helped his family through the loving hearts of those around them. God revealed that when you have nothing left
but love … you see that love is enough.
Friends, may you always have “Enough” for all the days of
your life.
Thank You Lord, for the many people I’ve met on
this life’s journey. Some of them
inspire, me stretch me, challenge me, love me and encourage me. They all help me to realize how meaningful
and wonderful my life is. Please grant
their prayers too. Amen
