A Fire Made Easter Unforgettable

Like many people, I have fond childhood memories of Easter.

I enjoyed gluing cotton ball bunnies and coloring paper eggs so they could be displayed on the classroom bulletin board.

Thriving on anything that provided a creative outlet, I loved dipping white hard boiled eggs into cups filled with liquid colors of the rainbow and watching them emerge changed.

Before church, I hunted throughout the house for my own basket filled with candy - and possibly a jump rope, jacks, or coloring book.

Then I’d put on a new frilly dress, shiny patent leather shoes, white anklets with delicate lace around the edges, and some years, even an Easter bonnet. Then we’d walk to church and share in a pancake breakfast before the service.

But one Easter experience left an impression that will never be forgotten . . .

The day was sunny and bright. Relatives arrived at our home after church to have a traditional ham dinner. I played with my cousins, and probably ate far too much chocolate.

It was still early in the afternoon when the local fire alarm sounded. A commotion arose within our home. We lived only two blocks from the church and had a perfect view of the building – engulfed in flames.

The volunteer fire station was located next to the church. My father, one of the volunteers, joined others as they attempted to put out the fire. Much of our small Mayberry-type community arrived to watch the old church burn to the ground. Nothing was saved. Later it was determined that faulty wiring in the kitchen caused the fire.

My grandfather took a multitude of photos, so I’ve been able to look back and be reminded of the blaze. The visuals are amazing.

The community was devastated that Easter Sunday.

But, here’s the thing . . .

People rallied and a new church was built on the same spot, but larger in order to accommodate growth and needs. The bell that hung in the old steeple, but now black and cracked from the fire, is displayed on the front lawn as a memorial.

I still look back on that day and the lesson learned.

The old church died, but out of ashes came new life.

New life because people didn’t give up. They believed in rebuilding and going on. They believed that what the church provided was life-giving.

What a better day than Easter for such an example of life coming from death.

Sometimes we’re faced with what feels like death because the situation is so difficult emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually. It may be caused by divorce, a death of a loved one, a job loss, an addiction, or an assortment of many things.

But when life gets a little tough – we shouldn’t give up.

With God’s help, we too can rise up from the ashes and start over. We can experience not only a “new” life – but very possibly, a “better” life.

Christ took on the sins of the world and died in order to give us eternal life.
Just like a new church rising out of the ashes, we’re given a new chance to start over every day.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

This Easter, celebrate life!

Dawn