Fires – Through the Flames – Fantasy and Action Thrillers that read like Blockbuster Movies!

I entered my daughter’s bedroom to see a bonfire on her bed.

I screamed. Causing my son in the front room to scream. I ran to the kitchen, pulling out my phone to dial 911 while ordering Noah to leave the house. I filled a large bowl with water, then grabbed it and shoved another bowl under the running faucet.

“911, what’s the location of your emergency?”

I shouted the address, shouted that my daughter’s bedroom was on fire, shouted again at Noah to step outside. At the door, I flung the water at the center of the flame. Black smoke billowed up, filling half the room and rolling into the hall at my face.

The fire was still going.

… When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher

And it feels like I can barely breathe

I ran back to the kitchen, screamed at the 911 operator to send someone right away as I grabbed the other water bowl, sliding the first one under the faucet. The nearby fire department would arrive in less than a minute. By then, the fire would consume all of Abby’s clothes and personal belongings, along with her room and possibly the house. I promised Noah I would leave soon as I tossed more water onto the bed.

Firefighters were at our door within seconds, urging me to come out as I finally suppressed most of the fire, leaving a small flame on a power strip as I hurried outside. I told the responders it was only me and Noah, but Noah cried, “Brownie!”

I had forgotten about our little dog. Usually under foot, now he was nowhere to be seen. Once the firefighters called his name, Brownie quickly ran out from a rear bedroom.

… You’ve walked me through fires

Pulled me from flames

If You’re in this with me

I won’t be afraid

I stood in our driveway, stunned. Two responders asked me what happened while their crew tugged a long fire hose through our front door. I explained that I work from home and Noah’s usual babysitter was away. I was stuck on calls when our house alarm started beeping. I came upstairs to find smoke rolling across the ceiling, and spotted a bright light in our daughter’s room. We later learned that Abby had asked Noah to gather some things for her. He did so, setting a candle on the nightstand to make her room smell nice.

He had no idea it had tipped over.

The paramedics urged us to get checked out. The hospital nurses discovered carbon monoxide in my blood, but not to a dangerous level. I picked up Abby from her school dance rehearsal and drove her to the house. She was devastated. Her bedroom was a charred ruin. Several of her cherished belongings – including a favorite blanket she’s had since infancy – had been destroyed by fire or excessive water.

Good friends put us up at a hotel for two nights.

Disasters never happen at a convenient time. But we were paying down debts. I was about to publish my next book. My wife, Nicki, was studying for her therapy license. And Abby’s been practicing for dance performances scheduled for the entire week.

It was a bad time to have our house catch on fire.

… I’m changed by Your mercy

Covered by Your peace

I’m living out the victory

Doesn’t mean I won’t feel the heat

Nicki couldn’t sleep for several hours that night. I got up later to write a Facebook fundraiser appeal. The next morning, we took Abby to school and returned to the house with Noah to start cleaning.

Two women knocked on our front door, asking if we had a fire. They explained they were a highly experienced restoration company, doing top quality work and advocating for us to help ensure that all of our damaged materials get restored or replaced.

As they spoke, I felt God telling me to simply let them inside. They shared more details and credentials, until we were convinced they could help. They immediately set up machines that would filter out all the smoke within days. Then they started washing our laundry, while planning how to clean our belongings under our renter’s insurance agreement. They kept working nonstop as I posted our fundraiser and Nicki contacted our insurance provider, who took over the cost of our continued hotel stay.

… I remember how You told me

That life may not be easy

And everything that I need

You’ve already given me

Our church community group leader visited us, bringing a restaurant gift card and some food. He complimented our positive attitude, surprised that we weren’t more shaken up.

Nicki and I smiled at each other. She told him this feels manageable after everything else we’ve gone through in the last decade. With lost homes, lost jobs, family stress, financial setbacks, legal attacks, and getting on a first name basis with police and paramedics through multiple emergencies, we’ve been through worse. It’s still rough, but all those horrible dramas made it easier to handle yet another crisis.

… I can face anything

‘Cause You’re here with me

I can do all things

‘Cause You strengthen me

Our group leader prayed with us. As we continued to sweat over all our expenses, I checked my PayPal account for any direct donations, and discovered some significant contributions. Meanwhile, the restoration company delivered a large amount of food from a local church that stuffed our hotel refrigerator to overflowing.

When I started my car this morning, the song “Fires” was playing on the radio. I’ve heard it before but never noticed the words.

… I remember how You told me

I can trust You completely

So why am I doubting

When You proved that You’d fight for me?

We all go through unexpected fires in life. Some will be devastating, or will feel that way. But God will continue to bring us through each one.

We’ll have to adjust some plans. I’ll publish my book in March instead of February. Nicki’s studies will be delayed another month, and she’s taken time off work this week to handle a lot of damage control.

Some plans will remain in place. Abby will keep performing her dance shows, which we got to see last night (she was awesome!). I’ll still sign books at the Davenport, Iowa Quad Con on Feb. 19-20.

Other plans won’t move forward without the right help. Our restoration company is doing quick and excellent work. People are providing food, funds, resources, and prayers that we desperately need. God is overseeing all of it, providing for us in the disasters that we couldn’t see coming, through people and resources we didn’t know were available.

It’s always rough when tragedies strike. Always.

But seeing how God provided for us in the past helps me trust him to take care of us in the future, handling each crisis as it comes. Even when I can’t see it coming.

… I’ll walk through these fires

‘Cause You’re walking with me.

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