The Kitchen Fire

I just lit a candle in my kitchen.
I have a little glass jar near the sink for the used matches.
The matches go in the jar after I run them under water.
It may seem excessive, not after what happened early in our married life.

Our first house had a family room next to the kitchen.
It was one step down and it was a favorite place for our almost one-year-old to play.
She would line her toys on the step so she could play and be near me.
She had a clear view of me while I was making dinner and I had a clear view of her.

It was a Saturday and my husband was doing things around the house.
He was repairing a sliding door screen that was always coming off the track.
He called me to lend a hand.
I was sauteing something on the stove and turned the burner down to low.

I stepped down into the family room and walked over to him.
The first attempt at getting it back on track was unsuccessful, as was the second.
The door was being stubborn and he needed to take it off and do some more work.
Let me go stir what I was cooking and I’ll be right back.

I passed our mantle clock as I walked to the kitchen and glanced at the time.
I saw a red light reflected in the glass.
I turned towards the kitchen and saw flames rising from the frying pan to the ceiling.
I was too afraid to scream so I went over to the stove.

I never thought to get the lid and put it on top of the flaming pan.
I carried the pan to the sink, doing all the things you are not supposed to do.
I put the pan in the sink and ran water on the pan, which made a lot of smoke.
The pan sizzled in defeat; the flames were extinguished.

But the smoke had left a black residue on the ceiling above the sink.
There were areas near the stove that would need attention as well.
All the while, my daughter played nearby on the step with her toys.
All the while, my husband continued to fix the stubborn sliding door.

I called to him with a shaky voice.
I called to him loudly.
He ran in and when I saw his face I just cried.
I thought of all the what-ifs.

I was so mad at myself for making such foolish mistakes.
I acted on impulse without thinking it through.
I should never have left the pan on the stove even with it turned down low.
I should have covered the flames with a lid.

You can pave a walkway with “shoulds.”
You can cover a wall with “what-ifs.”
You can make a pile of “if-onlys.”
You can drive yourself crazy as you replay your mistakes in your mind.

Wallowing in self pity does no one any good.
Constantly beating yourself up over your mistakes is useless.
My husband and I had a cleanup job to do.
We got out buckets and rags and went to work.

My husband had to repaint the kitchen.
He and I were so grateful that our little daughter was safe.
He was thankful that I did not get burned as I moved the flaming pan.
He was so grateful that the damage was not worse.

I cringe inside when I think of all that could have happened.
One more minute outside with him could have changed the outcome.
I did everything wrong that day.
Yet despite my mistakes, God was with me, protecting my daughter, our home and me.

Grace.
Undeserved.
Unmerited.
Grace given despite horrible mistakes on my end.

Grace is never about what WE do.
Grace is always about what GOD does.

If we were honest, we could all think of near misses and catastrophes too close for comfort.
We could all make a list of those times God intervened.
Those times when no other explanation makes sense.
It is good to remember the hand of God in those things and in the little everyday things.

I will lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you – the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)

The Lord watches over His people.
Even when bad things happen, He is still there.
Even if the outcome had been different that day, He is still with me.
He guards us to bring us safely Home.

The prosperity gospel preaches that God wants everyone healthy, wealthy, problem free.
That is false.
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

God is with us IN the trouble.
God never leaves us.
The outcome does not determine the presence or the absence of God.

God is always there.
Repeat it.
God is always there.

No matter what my circumstance may look like, God is always there.
Think back on the near misses, the times you were protected and cannot explain it.
Think of all the times that things were hard, yet an undeniable peace washed over you.
Think of all the times that things went totally opposite of what you thought should happen.

Yet it all worked together for good.
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

All things working together for good.
No shoulds.
No what-ifs.
No if-onlys.

Just surety that God is always there, with us, through it all.

2 responses to “The Kitchen Fire”

1. Thanks once again for the statement of facts you present. Losing a son, I can attest to His peace and having a house fire, I can attest to His unfailing presence and protection….AND thinking of auto accidents that “almost” happened, diagnoses that could have been different….I can attest to His grace and answered prayer. One of the most wonderful things about our God and Savior…is the one line you put in bold type: God is always there. What comfort we can take every moment of every day! Our Father is faithful! Have a good week Gina!!

   Reply

   • Nancy,
     What a testimony each of our lives are to His goodness and faithfulness, even in those times that make no sense. Especially then. We need to encourage each other with that Truth: God is always there.
     Gina

     Reply