Love Away From The Underpass

In close conversation, alone with Pastor Ben, Jack asked him about his parents. "Never knew them, Jack. I was left on the steps of a Catholic orphanage as a newborn. One of the old nuns, Sister Lolly, took charge over me, and more or less raised me from the start. She taught me about Holiness, about God, and His Son, Jesus. As a little fellow, Sister Lolly would give me lollypops for rewards– lollypops, hugs and kisses, and encouragement." Suddenly, Pastor Ben froze as he stared speechlessly through the opened door. With a glass of ice tea held in his hand, his mouth opened but no words came out. Jack, looking in the same direction yelled, "FIRE, FIRE, as he leaped out of his chair and charged out-of-doors. Sid, get the hose! Lord, help us!" Everyone was soon behind him. Thankful for a double hose outlet Jack grabbed one hose and pulled it as he ran towards the fire. Flames were quickly eating up Joe's work site. Calling to Sid, he barked directions, "Turn on the water and grab the other hose!" Fire leaped from Joe's stash of dried branches onto the benches and furniture being displayed. Yelling at Sid, Jack shouted, "Spray everything close to the fire while I concentrate on the flames. Everyone was out of the barn watching in disbelief. Larry became ridged, almost paralyzed in place. "No! No!" he couldn't move. Brawn noticed his alarmed state and moved to his side. Larry's eyes were wild with remembering. Chester was quickly at his other side. "Let's get him over away from the sight of the flames. Taking Larry 's face between his hands, Brawn spoke calmly to Larry making him look at him. Now, very close to his face he repeating over and over, "Larry, should we get the flowers moved away? Larry, should we move them?" He and Chester carefully moved him to the flowers and put one in his hand. "Larry--Larry look at me-- let's move these away--over here." Together they eased Larry away from the fire. "That's good, Larry, put it down on the ground." They eased his arms down and helped him put it on the ground. "Great, Larry, let's get another one," repeating and repeating while urging Larry to move and help. Larry soon became aware of what he was doing and started picking up plants and moving them to another spot away from the fire. "We have to hurry, Brawn, we have to hurry. Pick up some more." Larry began wildly urging them. The flames were doused and finally died out. Brawn turned Larry around to look at the burnt mess. "We saved the other things, Larry. The fire is out. We saved the other things. The fire is out, see Larry." "Yeah, what happened? What caused the fire? Is everyone alright?" Larry took a deep breath, put his hands on his hips, looked around and tried to take stock of everything around him as he came back to earth. "Brawn, thank you. I was stunned and didn't know what to do. Thank you. Let's go see if we can do anything over there." Without warning, Brawn broke out in a trembling sweat, "How did I know how to do that? I could have caused him to go berserk. What a stupid thing I did." He was talking to himself. "Brawn, thank you. I don't know how you thought to help me like you did, but I feel somehow freed of the horror of fire that attacks me when I think of what happened so long ago with my wife and baby daughter." "Well, your welcome good Buddy, and glad you're okay. I sure wouldn't recommend doing that to someone--I just was led to try to help you, somehow." Jack came over and put his hand on Larry and Brawn's shoulders, "That was God, fellows, there is no other explanation for it—that was God—thank You, God! In the Bible, it says, 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble' (Psalm 46:1, NIV). Thank the Lord for that." He sank to his knees with thanksgiving and amazement. Pastor Ben came out of the door with his Bible in his hand. His voice was shaky as he put a knee to the ground and said, "Let us praise God." His words failed every so often as he gave Glory to God, praying Bible verses from that same Psalm. Pastor Ben was so well read; Jack recognized verses from several different Bible versions; “God is our refuge and strength...a very present help in trouble...therefore we will not fear...though the flames...roar...God is in the midst...The Lord of Hosts is with us...come, behold the works of the Lord...Be still and know that I am God...I will be exalted.... Weakness overcame Pastor Ben; Jack got up from his knees and took the Bible gently from Pastor, helping him to stand. The others got up from their knees. Jack turned to the group and said, "Ephesians 5:20—we give thanks. Trembling thanksgiving was heard from many lips. Shorty said, "Yes, Jesus, we give You thanks for all things. Amen." Pastor sat down slowly on the picnic table bench and with tears streaming, began to sing their favorite hymn. "Amazing Grace..." Hearts were full of praise and thanksgiving; others joined in. At the end of the song, Pastor Ben looked over his little congregation and quoted, "John 10:10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10, NIV). We have witnessed the enemy at work this evening. But God, who is all mighty, is among us to save us. Remember my little children, keep in our hearts this evening, Ephesians 5:20 and John 10:10." Pastor Ben spoke gravely, "That thief was beaten by our mighty God. Thank You, Lord, for using Jack, Sid, Brawn, Chester, and Larry as Your special agents at that precarious time."