Thursday, June 21, 2007

After the Rain

I cannot even imagine what it takes for a person to run into a burning building while everyone else is fighting to get out but I can say that whatever it is I admire the men and women who have it. While this is way behind the news curve I just want to express my admiration and appreciation for the individuals who live their lives precariously in hopes that they can come to the aid of others. Specifically those brave nine that died here in Charleston, SC this past week.

  • Capt. William "Billy" Hutchinson, 48 (30 years)
  • Capt. Mike Benke, 49 (29 years)
  • Capt. Louis Mulkey, 34 (11½ years)
  • Engineer Mark Kelsey, 40 (12½ years)
  • Engineer Bradford "Brad" Baity, 37 (9 years)
  • Assistant engineer Michael French, 27 (1½ years)
  • Firefighter James "Earl" Drayton, 56 (32 years)
  • Firefighter Brandon Thompson, 27 (4 years)
  • Firefighter Melven Champaign, 46 (2 years)

  • My prayers continue for those who have been most touched by this tragedy. I am certain that if we stay on our knees long enough we will see the hand of God in this somewhere, despite that in this moment our hearts cry out in anguish against such a catastrophe. We as a people will weather this storm. We will stand hand in hand smiling after the rain.

    1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (The Message)

    12 We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

    13 But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

    1 comment:

    Dena said...

    Amen- I still can't get over the tragic loss for the families - It does remind us what heroic jobs our armed forces, police and firefighters have and how blessed we are to have someone to watch over us so we CAN run from danger!