Got Gas?!

Today started off quiet. I was looking forward to Tanya, Kate and Zach coming over to play. Our original plan was to go to the park. But, the weather was gross and rainy so we decided to stay at the house and play. I've got all sorts of toys for the kids to play with so they got to playing and laughing and we had a great time...we even made a xylophone with the tinker toys...

and then....

Whooooshhhh...it seemed like it came out of nowhere. All of the sudden Tanya and I smelled gas and heard a loud whoooshing sound. We quickly realized it was coming from the fireplace. Kate was sitting in front of it so we tried to figure out what she had touched that would have turned the gas on. I ran into the kitchen and blew out the candle. I made sure the furnace/AC were turned off. I opened a window and a door and quickly got the attic fan turned on. We got the kids out of the house and I called my dad to figure out how to turn it off.

Even outside, the smell of gas was so strong. Tanya and I were frantic, trying to figure out how to turn it off. My dad mentioned a key and Kate said she had found a key. But, where was it? I ran into the house as I called 9-1-1. Just as they answered, I saw the key...


...it was sticking out of the floor, hidden by the rocking chair! I quickly turned the gas off and was so thankful to hear the whoooshing stop whooshing. For safety reasons, the fire department came (no sirens, thankfully!) to make sure everything was safe again. We were standing outside in the front lawn with a few rain drops coming down when the fire engine got there. Kate and Zachary were wide eyed! (They looked how I felt!) The firemen checked our "gas leak" and thankfully, everything was just fine. They told us that we did everything right! (Of course, it would have been helpful if I had been more aware of the KEY before this situation!)

But, if we did everything "just right", why do my hands still tremble at the thought of the events of the day? Why does my heart skip a beat whenever I think of how different it could have been? And why do I feel like I just had a "stupid girl moment"?! (This is my second "stupid girl moment" this month! That's 2 too many!)

But, in spite of my trembling I am reminded of a few things for which I am so thankful. I am thankful for the Lord's protection of my loved ones and me, thankful that we have nothing to fear while in His care!

"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble,
Therefore, we will not fear."

Psalm 46:1-2a

I am also thankful for a child's heart that is tender. Kate did not purposefully do wrong. She did not take the key with the intent to cause any sort of trouble. She was being curious. But, her first response at realizing the result of her actions? She asked to say "sorry"! She wanted to do what she could to make a wrong right again. Do I respond with that same sensitivity? Is my heart tender, desiring to make my "wrongs" right again? Or do I try to defend my actions, intentional or otherwise?

I pray for the children in my life--Kate, Zachary, Ethan, Simon, Jacob, Nyah (to name a few! There are others of you who read my blog that I am faithfully praying for your children, too!)--I pray that their hearts might be sensitive to their sinful nature, that they might have a tender heart towards the things of God, that they might grow to be faithful men and women of God! I pray that one day soon, we will all be hearing the good news of one of these wee souls saved so that we might rejoice together!

"Though you have not seen him, you love him.
Though you do not now see him, you believe in him
and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

I Peter 1:8-9

**P.S. In case you were wondering, the key has been moved into another room, far and away from where it can be used by accident. And, my dad came over and plugged the gas line (I don't use it anyways!). So, this house is safe again! Whew!