House fires are costly and scary.

Sadly, many do not live to tell their stories. I appreciate full time and volunteer firefighters; they save countless lives and lessen property damage. We were renting an apartment in Chicago when we smelled smoke. My husband Norm went to investigate.

He soon discovered a fire in a vacant apartment directly above us and took action. Holding our infant daughter April, I rushed to alert other tenants. He called the fire department and our landlord and we went down to the street. There was a fire in our building!

The fire was put out and we returned to our home to survey damage. There was a hole in our bedroom ceiling and smoke filled the entire apartment. Our landlord offered to cover the cost of a motel for the night. Repairs would be made; we were spared any serious damage.

Fire can destroy; yet, God uses it to refine His children…

“I will bring the one-third through the fire,
Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them.
I will say, ‘This is My people’;
And each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God (Zechariah 13:9 NKJV).’ ”

Published articles in Mature Living Magazine, Devotions for the Deaf, The Secret Place, Coosa Journal, Mary Hollingsworth's The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter, Jo Krueger's Every Day in God's Word. http://www.pamforddavis.com
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