A scary moment

We had a moment a few nights back.

It was dark and we’d been in bed for a while.

A firetruck pulled up in front of the neighbor’s house.

Our neighbor is a military wife with three little ones, whose husband is away serving our country.

They’ve not been here long, so I’ve not felt like we’ve been able to build a solid relationship yet.

None of this mattered when we saw the truck.

We went over to see if we could help.

It was the carbon monoxide alarm and understandably the children were cold and frightened.

As the fireman questioned my neighbor, she held her youngest and tried to calmly answer everything.

I stood near the car with the two other children.

I’d grabbed some blankets and so had another neighbor, to keep them warm.

The oldest girl was crying.

“This is so scary! I don’t like it! I don’t want any more scary stuff like this!”

For a moment I was unsure about how to comfort her.

For a child who knows me, I’d just hug them, but she didn’t know me that well.

She continued.

“I don’t know what to do! I don’t want anything else scary to happen!”

Then the Lord reminded me to speak truth.

I got closer, so she could hear me over the fire truck and said, “We don’t need to worry, because Jesus has you in His hands.”

Her sister caught my words first, and her little face broke into a smile.

She nodded.

I spoke again and gently patted the oldest on her hand.

“Jesus has you in His hands and we can trust Him. He has kept you safe tonight, and we can trust Him.”

She calmed down and when her mother returned, she was no longer crying.

I was so honored to be used by the Lord to bless our neighbors.

Especially, the children as they are very precious indeed.

Mark 10:14-16 NKJV — But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for keeping our neighbors safe. Thank You for the firemen who came to make sure our neighbors were protected. Lord, thank You for comforting them. Thank You that You are our refuge and strength. Lord, thank You for all the ways You bless us. May we find comfort in Your truth and security in Your salvation. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.