Blessings After the Fire

by the Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen

I cannot think of a stewardship theme that strikes home more deeply for me than this year’s: Counting Our Blessings.

As many of you know, we had a fire at our home on Friday morning, November 4. It started in the kitchen. The toaster—plugged in but not in use—seems to have been the origin of the blaze. We’ve learned the hard way: keep small appliances unplugged!

Our alarms performed well. The three family members asleep in the house were able to get outside; they had to crawl through the house under heavy smoke. Another few minutes and it could have been devastating. I was not home at the time; I am profoundly grateful they all made it to safety.

Talk about Counting Our Blessings! This experience has reminded me of what a profound blessing my family is to me. I cannot imagine life without them. I give thanks for them every day—but doubly so after the fire.

The kitchen is destroyed and will have to be completely gutted and rebuilt. The rest of the house suffered severe smoke damage. We are living in a hotel for the time being. Our insurance company is working to find temporary housing in the neighborhood that can accommodate us for several months. As of this writing, the prospect of locating a suitable home to rent nearby looks positive.

The outpouring of support and love from the congregation has been overwhelming—more blessings to count! We have received expressions of concern and offers of assistance from so many of you. Thank you! It is a little hard to keep up with it all, so please be patient with us.

The circle of care for us has extended to friends across the church and around the country. Through the Internet, people have found out what has happened and are responding with prayers and words of encouragement. Still more blessings to count!

For decades I have preached on the theme of gratitude during stewardship season. I feel my own gratitude like never before this year. In the aftermath of the fire and the response we have received there is little left to say other than, thanks be to God.

Pledge Sunday is November 20. All of us have blessings to count—and from there it’s a short step to a response in gratitude.

See you at the All-Church Festival this Sunday, November 13, and Pledge Sunday on November 20!

Comments

[Susan Whiteman]

Tim,

Thank you for sharing the story of your house fire and reminding us, not only how precarious is life on earth, but how precious are the people we love, who are amongst the greatest blessings we have.