Fire

Fire, what is the first thought this word brings to mind? Was it about making rich sticky s’mores, singing a favorite campfire song with those you love, or maybe the smell of a cinnamon candle on a cool crisp autumn morning? Unfortunately, not everyones’ first thought when they hear the word fire is positive and warm.

In my mind I see an image of my son’s face as he stares horrified back at our house. The house shooting flames into the cold dark morning sky.

The morning was February 7th, 2018 1:00 a.m. I awoke to the sounds of smoke alarms ringing through the house. Our house was heated by a wood burning stove. Therefore, it was not unusual for smoke to trigger the basement alarm.

When I opened my eyes the first thought I could unscramble was, “ugh… stinkin’ fire alarms you better not go wakin’ my kids!” I laid in bed feeling too heavy to get up. Then it happend…

I heard my kids crying! I popped out of bed like Jack in the box. I stomped across the bedroom floor furious, because no one wakes mama bears babies up!

As I made my way down the hall in horror I saw the glow of flames on the opposite end of the house through all of the windows and our sliding glass door. Then I learned the answer to the hypothetical question we ask ourselves; “What would you do if your house was on fire? What would you try to save?”

I turned around and ran back to my bedroom for my cellphone. Next I got my three, soundlessly sleeping, children out of bed (four years old, two years old, and seven months old). The temperature was record setting negative windchill; knowing the front door was 12 ft away from the end of the house on fire we had no time for coats or shoes.

I called my father-in-law, who lives two country houses down from us. We made it out the door, even with the kids not being able to grasp the concept of going outside in the snow without their shoes on.

We made it halfway up the driveway when we finally looked back, seeing the chimney and roof on fire. While the kids screamed in terror shaking uncontrollably I called 911. Our father-in-law arrived rushing us back to his house where we were safe and warm.

Everyone asks me how I handled loosing everything we had, but that is where they are all wrong. I came no where close to losing everything. All that truly matters was saved.

My husband was safe gone for a work trip. Thd Lord woke me keeping myself safe and helped me gather my children saving them.

Remember the part where I was yelling at the fire alarms for waking my children up, because I heard them crying? However, when I got to them they were soundlessly sleeping. How is it possible? God… Luke 1:37, “for nothing will be impossible with God.”

We all know how hard it can be to wake children. They show a scary side we as parents hope to never see again! Our five year old daughter is by far the hardest to wake.

The night of the fire she awoke so graceful, like a delicate flower going with the breeze. She shared with us her belated great grandma, who lived in our house before us, had come to her in a dream. In the dream she explained to her, “My house is on fire. Your mother is coming to wake you up.” *Instant Chills*.

Ever since then the kids have had their fears and struggles. Through devotionals and prayers the Lord has brought to my heart a beautifully strong realization. I have the most important job for my children as a stay at home mom, raising and being there for them!

Now do not get me wrong if you are not a stay at home mom you are just as important! In general being a mom is a very important job! Fortunately, regardless of any marital circumstances we are NOT alone in the job. How? Our Lord is in this journey with us leading us every step of the way.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” –John 8:12