One week of snow and fire

My husband, Mr. Teacher Man, had a snow day last week.  I suppose that’s one of the perks to the many, many hours he’s been putting in as a first year math teacher.  I’m amazed at how much work he’s done and how much he’s learned already.  I’ve loved watching; knowing that he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.

 

Our snow day started with an early morning phone call and the realization that our power was out.  Thankfully, we were still warm and toasty under our new sheets and comforter (I might have to post a picture soon- our bed is so pretty!).  Heath then bravely trekked through the wet snow, and took the truck out to buy firewood and some breakfast.  We felt so very thankful to have a real wood burning fireplace so we could stay warm until the power was restored. All in all, last week we had a great snow day.

The opposite was true yesterday. Sometime in the late afternoon we heard that my cousins were evacuated from their house due to a fire that started in their garage.  They were home on a snow day.  I can’t imagine what the phone calls must have been like for my aunt and uncle. The heartache and trauma that must have followed.  What can be more important to a little girl than the safety of home and family? My heart’s prayer yearns for all to be restored.

This morning I was struck by the extreme differences in these two snow days, one week apart.  Fire, when contained in its proper place, is a very good thing.  Fire brings warmth, energy, romance, and even safety when it is controlled.  Fire, left to its own devices becomes dangerous.  How many things in our lives fall along the same lines? When things are in their proper place, they are good and right. When these very same things escape their appropriate boundary, they easily become harmful and destructive.  Rest becomes laziness; healthy exercise becomes an addiction; good mothering becomes an obsession to perfection; good relationships become idolatry. Lord, help us!  How easily our boundaries become void.

I’m reminded at how much we need the One who gives good boundaries.  The One who desires to show us the way.  The One who promises to be with us, no matter what storm or fire we face.

My heart remains thoughtful and prayerful.  May we remain in the warmth of a contained fire and our lives reflect the hearth that was meant to keep us safe.

 Lord Jesus, we are so thankful that all are safe. Lord, we pray your continued protection over this family. Restore what has been lost. Renew what has been damaged. Redeem what has been destroyed. Lord, have mercy.