If you were to walk into the house I live in today, you would see that not only are we are not lacking any necessity, but we have been blessed way above measure.
Seven years ago on October 6, about 7:00 pm, the parsonage caught on fire while we were home. We did not have renter’s insurance; therefore, we were not compensated for our personal belongings lost that had accumulated over 27 years of marriage and 9 children. We did not possess expensive items, but many sentimental items that would never be replaced.
Dear ones near us helped us in so many ways:
…sorting through the rubble
…taking us to get clothes at midnight
…providing a lovely home to stay in for a week until we could get into the rental house
…making daily meals for our large army
…looking for basic necessities for us for weeks
…buying our school curriculum
…taking us to the store and helping us get towels, socks, kitchen utensils, etc…
… thinking for me when my mind was numb…
…receiving and sorting donations
…giving plain ole emotional support
… and many other ways.
From friends and family and churches across the country, monetary help was sent to help us begin replacing many basic things we don’t even think about because we just always have them.
The Lord kept us safe from even smoke inhalation, and I am grateful to Him. My family received His provision, and I felt His love and comfort through it all.
Why write about it yet again?
I write to remember these people and their sacrifice of love and time. I write to remember the goodness of God and that He is with us through all the ups and downs in life.
Even seven years later, I am often reminded of the fire when I want to compare a child’s baby picture or a video of their younger days. I miss some of my music compositions. General things can be replaced, but not these personal things. I still have to go through a thought process when I feel sad about not having personal memories.
I would not say that things were that important to me because most of my possessions were family hand-me-downs (because I like old, personal things) or they were thrifted. But after the fire, I realized I really was attached to my family pictures and family items; otherwise, I don’t think I would have to go through the thought process every time which goes something like this:
I wish I still had…
I’m sad it’s gone…
God knows…
God cares…
God does not shame me for missing photographs…
God knows I knew my family was my most precious possessions…
God gave me my precious family…
God knows my heart…
God knows what’s best for me…
God loves me and does what’s best for me…
God uses trials to sanctify me…
God uses trials of mine in my family members’ lives…
God has never failed to keep His promises…
I trust God again… and again… and again…
God is so kind and gracious to me…
God blesses me with Himself… every moment…
God gives me new memories to take photos of…
God has given me more precious family members to love since 2017…
God provided a beautiful parsonage to live in and to serve Him from…
God is preparing a place for me when I go Home.
Below is a poem from 1666 in which the author works through feeling guilty for missing earthly things, but concludes that her hope and true treasure is in Heaven.
The only treasures on this earth that will be with me in Heaven are people. I won’t need any photos up there, and my songs will be those of Heaven’s magnificent choir praising our wonderful Lord! I can’t wait to sing in it! Well, I may still be on the bench, but to play for Heaven’s choir would be amazing!
Verses Upon the Burning of Our House, July 10th, 1666
-by Anne Bradstreet
In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I wakened was with thund’ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,”
Let no man know is my Desire.
I, starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then, coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest His name that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.
It was his own, it was not mine,
Far be it that I should repine;
He might of all justly bereft
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate and long did lie.
Here stood that trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best.
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under thy roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle e'er shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom‘s voice e'er heard shall be.
In silence ever shalt thou lie,
Adieu, Adieu, all’s vanity.
Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide,
And did thy wealth on earth abide?
Didst fix thy hope on mould'ring dust?
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erect
Frameed by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished,
Stands permanent though this be fled.
It‘s purchased and paid for too
By Him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by His gift is made thine own;
There‘s wealth enough, I need no more,
Farewell, my pelf, farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love,
My hope and treasure lies above.
WELCOME to my current earthly dwelling place that God has so graciously provided. My sweet mother made my fall wreath which got me to decorate for fall a little this year. The “Welcome” sign was a gift from my husband a few years ago. The chairs were free from the side of the road- freshly painted and recovered with fabric that was on sale 70% off - of course, it was on sale!
Happy Fall, Y’all!
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