A
few weeks ago, my neighbors Steve and Shelly watched as their
big, beautiful house burned down. It was all over the news and was the
talk of the town. They lived about five houses down from me, and so it
was definitely too close for comfort. They lost most everything they
owned from the fire, smoke or water. It happened at about 5 p.m. on a
Saturday evening. The family was able to escape with no harm or injury
to themselves.
Within
minutes, Valaine, the Relief Society president, was over at the house
finding out what size everyone wore; mom, dad and the three children. All
they had left were the clothes on their back, not even shoes on their
feet. Valaine quickly called around, and soon women were dashing in all
different directions to pick up garments, shoes and any other clothes
they could find. Robert, their home teacher, ran over, and upon Steve's
request quickly gave him a Priesthood blessing. People came out of the
woodwork offering their basement for this family to live in; even the
mayor here in Draper offered his home until they could figure out what
they were going to do.
Church
was the following day at 1 p.m.. Believe it or not, this family was
sitting in church, draped in clothes from other members of the
congregation. The bishop spoke tenderly of the loss of their home as
well as all the service that had poured in. He took a moment to talk
of the spiritual fires, which were even more crucial, as they were of
an eternal nature, and the need to reach out to those people as well.
It was all very sobering.
I
sat with tears running down my face watching this family, who looked
like they were still in shock. Several things ran through my mind. My
first thought was how I probably would not have been sitting in
church. I felt that no one in the world would have expected me to be
there that day. Yet, as I stared at this family, I realized that they
were probably not sitting there for themselves, but for the rest of
us. Their faith, dedication and perseverance did something to my
heart that I can't describe. I guess it's just what happens when
people do hard things; they raise the bar, and it's encouraging and
uplifting to the rest of us. Sitting in church, less than 24 hours
later, 100 feet away from your burned-down house, is a hard thing. I
love it when people do hard things.
My next thought was \"welcome to my world\" — the unexpected life. This was surely not something they ever expected.
Having
traveled this road, I know a little about what lay ahead of them; many
opportunities to see the hand of the Lord. Without a doubt that is the
greatest part of living the unexpected life. When things happen or
don't happen that you do not expect, it often prompts you to look for
meaning and purpose in your circumstances. While you are looking, you
literally see the hand of the Lord; it is miraculous, it is
wonderful. I knew that from that day forward this family would never
be the same.
By
Sunday night, they were living in a neighbor's fully furnished basement.
The shelves were stocked with donated food from the neighborhood. A
list quickly filled up of families who would have them to dinner over
the next few weeks and watch their children as they dealt with
insurance, clean-up, etc. The following Thursday, a birthday party was
thrown for Shelly. Gifts and donations came flooding in. Sisters in
the ward signed up to go through the rubble and salvage anything they
could. One sister took one closet; another took the pantry, etc.
Shelly's wallet was found, with all its belongings intact. Shelly's
temple clothes, with significant meaning, weren't fazed, even though
the bag was scorched. All the food storage in the basement was
preserved. (They are the stake emergency specialists, and were fully
prepared for almost any disaster; they still have enough to feed an
army)
The
blessings continue to pour in. As Steve said in his testimony
yesterday, he knew the Lord answered prayers because no one else could
have heard them, and they were answered.
This
is the joy of living an unexpected life! The Lord compensates us, he
blesses us, and we are privileged to see his hand, in our day-to-day
lives. He sends celestial people who are jumping at the opportunity to
help and serve, and carry out his blessings.
To
this wonderful family and to those of you who are new on this
unexpected route, I welcome you! Keep your eyes wide open, as you will
see the hand of the Lord in ways you could never have imagined. Though
it is difficult at times, it is worth it. The joy, the blessings, the
friendships, the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the closeness you
will feel with your Heavenly Father, are far greater than any sacrifice
or tragedy.
Yes,
in time Shelly and Steve's house will be rebuilt, they will be wearing
their own clothes, and using their own dinner plates, they will look
like the rest of us, but inside they will be changed forever. That is
the beauty of the unexpected life; it has the ability to change us from
the inside out.
To Shelly and Steve; 'Welcome, and thanks for being an inspiration to all of us'.