Ears WIde Open During the FIre

The sadness I feel in the aftermath of the fire is overwhelming at times. But the incredible, simple ways that God took care of fire victims by whispering in people's ears to be His hands and feet keep me focused on how we need to cling to hope for our neighbors.

I count it a privilege to have been at church for the Onomia Quilt Auction when the fire broke out and to have been able to watch how God worked. I'm sure Larry Klimek and Carol Grier and Mike Cheney, who showed up to spruce up the church for the 60th anniversary party that morning felt privileged, too. God needed us to be there because people needed water and diapers. They needed someone to listen or sit near them as they silently watched their home burning.

But He kept whispering and more people came. Don Wille saw the smoke and stopped in, having driven the van with the wheelchair lift, not knowing that Gerald, who was wheelchair bound would need transporting away from the smoke that had followed him into the lobby of church.

And He kept whispering. And more people came. Calvas saw the smoke and came running. They ended up spending the whole day manning the phones and meeting countless needs by connecting people wanting to help, with ways that they could help.

He sent Laugens at the very moment we got the list of the contents of all of Christopher's birthday presents, down to the Sponge Bob cake so he could celebrate his fifth birthday in the High School commons while his parents waited for the Red Cross to arrive.

He sent Maria Guidarelli, a high school Little Lambs employee to offer childcare to the children as the wait in the commons got too long for their little bodies. She got on her cell and rallied her friends.

So many others.
And people keep listening to the promptings of God's whispers. He is so very good! It strikes me how He wants our ears wide open to His promptings always. Lord, forgive me for the noise in my life that keeps me from hearing how you want to use me every day!
If you are interested in ways that you can help with the fire check out Central's website. We will post info about needs there.