The Burning Building Next Door

So today April and I went for a stroll, because it was such a beautiful day outside. We walked down to the mailbox, around the little pond in our apartment complex, and then headed back to the apartment, when we heard those magical words, yelled from a balcony; "Call 9-1-1!"
We paused, and looked at each other, as if making sure we heard right. Call 911? Why, what was happening? So we peeked around the corner, to find out where the yelling was coming from. That's when I heard the crackling. The next building over from us has someone on the top balcony, trying to put out a fire on the outside of the wood chimney with a fire extinguisher, but the fire was resisting, and starting to grow. I got out my phone to call 911, but was told by a fellow onlooker that they had already been called, and April and I watched from below as a small chimney fire turned into a small rooftop fire, which turned into a large rooftop fire. The crackling sounds that once used to remind me of calming summer night campfires were evoking totally different emotions in me as they slowly turned from little crackles to a dull roar. As I watched and quickly debated my own role in any attempt to help was my poor selection in footwear for the outing, and that I wouldn't be much good to anyone trying to help fight a fire in my floppy sandals. I swear everytime I wear shoes that have poor stability, I miss a chance to fight a fire, outrun a bear, or save the world. Frickin sandals.
So we yell to anyone who might be left in the building, telling them to get out as the fire works its way down into the upper apartment, with us watching helplessly. The 5 - 10 minutes it took the Fire department to get there seemed like forever. The smoke plume was like a sky scraper. We were amazed by the up close and personal look at the destruction that can be caused by a tiny fire.

(Thank goodness no one was hurt)
I felt so helpless in my sandals as we watched the building burn, in a crowd of onlookers, nothing to contribute. And ulitmately, even if I hadn't been wearing sandals, I'm not sure there was anything I wouldn've been able to do to help save that builing. The realization that there are things in life that I can't stop from happening, situations I can't save others from, is a sad one, but probably one that I best learn sooner or later. There will probably be more days like this one, when I'm on the sideline, in my sandals.
Does anyone else remember when they were kids in sunday school class and someone asked them, "if your house was burning down and you only had time to grab one thing, what would it be?" and everyone was like, "my Bible." And I guess the point of the conversation is to think about the importance of God over everything else, which is great, but if you asked me today, it wouldn't be my Bible. I can get another Bible for ten bucks. I'm grabbing the iMac, because insurance never covers you the way you're hoping.

It's amazing how a small flame, if left unchecked, can destroy your whole world. Just a little space, a little air to get it going, and before you know it, it's too strong to put out on your own. Before you know it, a small problem can become fatal.

-Wilder