Have you ever thought about how horrifying it would be to lose a child in a fire, especially when it was impossible for you to save them?
It makes me shudder just thinking about it, yet I have. Being a parent suffering from very little vision to no vision now has forced me to wonder about such extreme possibilities.
A true-crime show reminded me such tragedies do exist. On a stormy night, a mother slept downstairs while her 18-month-old and 8-year-old slept in bedrooms upstairs. Awaken at 4:00 a.m. to smoke rolling down the stairs, she wasn’t able to see or get to her children’s bedrooms. Immediately dialing 9-1-1, firefighters responded quickly. Though badly burned, her 8-year-old daughter was rescued, but her son didn’t make it.
Stunned, shocked, and grieved, this mother’s nightmare was only beginning. Arson investigators suspected her since they believed the fire sprouted from her son’s closet floor, and she was arrested.
Helpless and hopeless, this mother returned home a few months later . . . under house arrest. Using basic computer skills, she searched the web for anything to do with fires. Discovering an article reporting how many innocent people went to jail due to house fires, written by an Australian scientist, she figured out how to email him. Surprisingly, he replied, giving her the name of another scientist from the U.S. This scientist explained since arson investigators are looking for arson, it is easy to become biased. Desiring to possibly prevent a false conviction, this scientist agreed to investigate. Providing a thorough investigation using his knowledge of chemicals, weather patterns, and much more, he discovered valuable evidence previously overlooked, thus proving her innocence. All charges were dropped and she was set free.
Not everyone is quite so fortunate.
A relative of mine knew a mother of two boys. Her oldest son a Christian, was arrested after losing his two small children in a house fire. His wife was at work that night, After tucking the little tikes in, he bedded down at the other end of their trailer house. Waking up to a blazing fire, he coughed and sputtered, while running and calling 9-1-1. Unable to rescue his own flesh and blood, he screamed louder than the sirens in the background. Tears rolled down his face as he was handcuffed. Tried and convicted for murder, his sentence was execution.
His Christian mother kept her hope, trusting in the Lord, even though an execution lay ahead. Perplexed, at times, she wondered why this happened to her oldest since he was of good character. Her youngest, on the other hand, had been a rebel from his teen years forward. Jail had been his second home.
When his last request finally rolled around, before his execution, he asked to see his younger brother who was serving time in another prison. Against normal rules, an exception was granted. During this visit, he led his younger brother to the Lord, ending in a prayer of salvation. With Jesus as their Lord and Savior, both had peace knowing they would see each other again someday in heaven.
Shortly thereafter, the execution was carried out, while DNA evidence proving his innocence beyond a shadow of a doubt lay upon the governor’s desk, only to be discovered first thing the next morning. Found earlier a stay of execution would have been given and all charges have been dropped. So tragic.
This innocent tragedy reminds me of another innocent man’s death, except he died for me, and you. On the cross, Jesus gave His life for us.
Falsely accused, Jesus was beat, His beard plucked, spat upon, sharp thorns shoved on His head, and flogged until unrecognizable. His innocent blood was shed on the cross for us.
Lord, may we never forget. Help us not to feel like a victim again. Diminish our complaining, and help us to focus on gratefulness. Let us remember You are sovereign. Help us to place our trust in You; not the answers we want. Use us in these types of circumstances so You might be glorified. Amen.
What kind of injustice is the hardest to let go of?
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Pastor Jena!
I think this is one of the most powerful articles you have written!
Very powerful message about the sacrifice that was made by Christ Jesus for us!
Pastor Robin
Thank you, Robin. Praise God for He is the one who “dropped” it in my head. Hopefully, you and many others will share it to get people changing their focus. Sorry…couldn’t resist. Be blessed.