The House Fire

Scott & I were watching TV last night when Travis, Scott's son, went running from the house with an urgency unlike I've seen before. Now, he is quick to leave quite often since he is on the Walstonburg Volunteer Fire Department, but this was different. He did not speak a word but ran with determination on his face. Scott & I looked at each other and commented that something serious must be going on...moments later, Scott's father called and said his neighbor's house was on fire. We jumped into the truck and went to see if there was anything we could do. By the time we got there, the fire had pretty much been contained and mostly extinguished. We stood to the side watching...waiting. I was praying for safety for our son and the others who were sacrificing themselves - all for the sake of others.

One firefighter came out of the smoking house, threw his axe into the ground and fell to his knees. He was breathing heavily while removing all of his protective headgear. Someone gave him a couple of bottles of water. The mask came off...it was Travis. The pride of a step-mama swelled up in me, and then my Father spoke..."Watch, see how he is on his knees while the other one behind him is changing his oxygen tank? See how he is guzzling the water like it was his last drop?" The Father reminded me that He is the water and I must drink of Him like it's my last drop! He pointed out that while the christian is on her/his knees, she still needs the help of others to hand her some water and keep the oxygen tank loaded and ready. Travis could not fight this fire alone - he could not endure the heat without the aid of others. Nor can I...nor can you! We need others to keep the oxygen tank tight and loaded...We need the water to quench our tired and weary soul. As christians, we fight every day...the fire of the furnace is turned up sometimes and some fires are stronger and rage with more vengeance than others, but we still fight!

I don't often tell Travis how proud I am of him and the courage he has shown by accepting his calling to become a professional firefighter. Usually when I do say I'm proud or that I love him, he shrugs modestly and gives a little half grin; but Scott & I are very proud of the man he has become. For that moment, while he was fighting, God used him to speak to me as I witnessed how he fought the fire. I hope this reflection speaks to you: When the fire is raging, fight it with all your might. When you need a breath of air, fall to your knees in prayer and guzzle the water of the Holy Spirit like it's the last experience you'll ever have with Him, and trust God to provide the right person to secure your oxygen tank behind you. When you're revived, stand up and fight the fire again.