“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Recently 19 Hotshot Firefighters went home to be with the Lord. Most of them just beyond voting age. All of them were courageous and deeply loved.
In the hours that followed the recognition of the horrible tragedy that had just taken place, Yavapai County, the State of AZ, and the Brotherhood of Emergency Responders pulled together to comfort these families and attack and extinguish the fastest moving fire in AZ history. It was a true example of the love of God manifested in the little town of Prescott, AZ.
I knew one of the young men and consider his family to be dear friends. Between my 3 boys, we knew 6 of the 19 who perished. Social Media helped us to stay updated with the community events, news stories, videos, shared memories, fundraisers, the Memorial Wall around the fire station, where there was a need and where needs had been met.
It showed us what needed prayer and where prayers had been answered. It showed us the pain and the helplessness of the families, but it could not take us close enough to hug them and hold them as they cried. I was so thankful that at this most challenging time for these families, that God rose up an arm of caring people to be His hands and feet. God sent people to comfort. God sent people to clean homes. God sent people to provide meals. God inspired people to offer rooms for those who came to help. God sent people to fill out forms and complete paperwork that the families would have had such a difficult time completing. God sent people bringing thanks and honor and respect. God brought an army of Angels to be His hands and feet.
The families will continue to struggle with “Whys” and ‘Hows” for a time, but they will never wonder about how much love God can send to them in their hour of pain, they have already experienced that.
Jesus, please keep me always mindful of the pain and the needs of others. Every life in crisis, no matter the cause, needs to be touched by Your love, by any means you have placed in our hands. We won’t always be able to solve the problem, but we can always offer a prayer, speak a word of encouragement, give a hug, listen, and sit with them as they cry. We can be Your hands and feet of compassion to a hurting world.
Linda J. Humes 