INSPIRASUNS

Some things happen in this world that are totally out of our control. Duh, you say. Ya I know, most things that happen in this world are out of our control, and type A’s like me will one day learn that 🙂 . I think what’s important though is reminding ourselves that God is always there, even during those times. Father protects His children, trust me our family knows this first hand.

Yesterday morning I was coming home from working out a little after seven. My phone rang and I could see it was my oldest daughter, hmmm I thought, it was only six in the morning where she was. I answered and immediately knew something was wrong. I could hear a commotion in the background and she was crying. I asked her what was wrong and the first thing she said was, “She’s out, but…”. Right away, I guessed that she was talking about our granddaughter Dakota, and my mind flew to oh no, she’s been in a car accident. My daughter continued, “She’s out, but Dakota’s entire apartment building is on fire”. I could hear Dakota crying in the background as my daughter told her it would be ok. My daughter then told me that her pets were still inside, and she had to leave them. I asked if the firemen had things under control, was the building still burning, she replied yes, then a quick, “I have to go, I’ll call you back”.

As I made the last mile of my trip home, I immediately began to pray to Father. I thanked Him for watching over my granddaughter and getting her out. I prayed that He would rain down water to extinguish the fire, stop the blaze and destruction, and save Dakota’s little animals (she has two cute ferrets). My mind was everywhere and like all parents I just wanted to be there, I was helpless.

I called our youngest and my brother, both of whom picked up right away, and both headed to be with our oldest. I filled my husband in when I got home, and we both stood trying to make sense of what was happening. I prayed again, harder this time, again thanking God for being there, and asking again for Him to extinguish the flames.

My youngest called after she arrived and assessed what was going on, she had found my daughter and granddaughter in the chaos. My youngest told me that the building was still ablaze, and then she filled me in on how Dakota had made it out. Dakota woke to screams in the hallway, and people yelling fire. She jumped up and ran to her front door, the doorknob was hot. That fire training we all got in school, ya it paid off, she knew not to open the door. She began to yell for help, when her next-door neighbor yelled at her, telling her that there was a fire in front of her door and she didn’t know how to help. Dakota lives on a second floor, so jumping was an option but a very long way down. She went with her gut on this one, opened her front door and flames were right there. She told my youngest and my brother, “I knew when I saw the flames I had to get out of there”. So, she covered her face with her shirt, put her back up against the wall, and felt her way to the staircase that led her down the stairs and outside.

Friends, I know with all my heart that Father was right there. He was the one who gave her the instinct to run. He was the one who covered her as she made her way past the flames and outside. He was the one who protected all of the tenants of that building, no one was injured. Father protects his children.

I hung up the phone and cried. I thought about how incredibly special, and brave this child was. She kept her wits about her, she assessed quickly and she acted. Many would have frozen in their tracks, but she did not. The visions of what could have happened, of just how close we came to losing our only granddaughter, it smacked me square in the face. I cried a little more and then I prayed again. Thanking God again for keeping her safe, for keeping everyone safe.

The firemen have confirmed that the building will probably be a total loss and it’s not likely that they will let any of the occupants back into the building. The roof has collapsed and it’s just not safe. Things can be replaced, but people, and family they can’t be replaced. The most important thing is that our granddaughter is safe. God protects His children.

Friends, the last few years have been difficult for everyone. Families have separated, friends have separated, and Satan has had a field day. I don’t need to spell out details, we all know what I’m talking about. I’m simply here to say this, we cannot let darkness tear our families apart. We cannot let Satan continue to separate God’s children. Apart from Father, our families are all we have. Our family is our most treasured gift. We have to lean into God, we have to look past whatever difficulties we may have had, and we have to get back to being a family. Yesterday Father put things squarely in my face. He saved our granddaughter and I think He was saying, look at the gifts you have.

God protects His children, He protects all of us. He provides us with incredible gifts, our family and friends. How will we treasure those gifts? Father thank you again for keeping my family safe, and for protecting our sweet grandchild.

Have a good day friends, and go hug your family, never let anything separate you from their love.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”