Angels Watching Over Me

I have great respect for the power of lightning. This last week a huge wild cherry tree in our backyard was struck by lightning, breaking off a large branch and peeling off the bark. We had no harm to the house but the invisible fence transmitter for our dogs was destroyed, flying off the wall of the garage at least 10 feet. Thankfully, this did not start a fire in the garage. We were very lucky. The damage could have been much worse.

Several years ago, when we lived in Zionsville, our house was struck by lightning. It hit with a terrible boom just around midnight. I looked all around the house for damage or possible fire but could find nothing so I went to bed. My habit every morning was to shower before waking the kids and going downstairs for breakfast. For some reason, that morning I did not. I went downstairs first. When I entered the kitchen, I heard a noise that was unusual. This was a sound I had heard before in a hospital. It was like oxygen coming out of a cylinder with the valve opened completely. I could tell that It was coming from the basement. As I opened the door, the smell of gas was overwhelming. I knew immediately that we were in great danger. I quickly woke Rozie and Garrett. Anna was not at home that night. We walked down to my sister’s house in our PJ’s. I didn’t dare open the garage door or start the car for fear that I would ignite the gas in the basement. There had to be a huge leak for me to hear it. If I had been thinking more clearly, I would have turned off the power to the house which was just next to the door of the garage. But my first thoughts were just on getting out of the house to safety. I called the gas company from Beth’s and they came immediately. Thankfully, I was able to dress in some of Beth’s clothes to meet the gas guy in something other than my pajamas. As we walked up the drive to the house, his gas detector began to make clicking noises. He remained calm but I could tell he was quite concerned. “Where is your power shut-off?” he asked. “It is usually with your fuse box.” He quickly flipped the power switch off and turned the gas off at the main line outdoors. We were not to go in the house all day even to open windows until the gas had time to dissipate. When a repairman was able to investigate, he found that the lightning had made hundreds of small holes the size of penny nails in the gas line entering the house. The gas was filling our basement all night as we slept. If even the gas water heater had kicked on, the house would have blown up. We were sleeping on a bomb.

The power of lightning is phenomenal. We had many items damaged by it that night including the computer board in our furnace, TV’s and computers. They were not preserved even with surge protectors. But our lives were preserved. We could have easily all died. Why didn’t I shower first that morning? Why did I go to the kitchen first so I heard the gas leak? I believe the Lord was with us. His angels were watching over us, prompting me to change my normal daily habits. I don’t understand the “why” of it all but Garrett said it best, “Mom, I guess God has more for us to do.” Yes, son, he does.

“Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand, you save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Your love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:6-8

I praise the Lord. By his grace, I live and have my being. May he fulfill his purposes through me and my children, now and forever.

Yesterday the news was full of the violence in Dallas. Five police officers and 2 others in the crowd of demonstrators are dead and many others injured. The crowd was peacefully demonstrating against the shooting of 2 black men in Minnesota and Baton Rouge when the violence began. The shooter took aim above them all, particularly picking out white police officers to target. Later he was killed by a robotic bomb to stop his tirade.

Violence always begets violence. Violence never leads to peace-not real peace. Real peace is only achieved through forgiveness and reconciliation. When we seek to understand people who are different from ourselves rather than fear or hate them, this is the first step to peaceful existence.

I guess I am just strange because I have always enjoyed meeting people who were different from myself. I have learned so much from conversations with them. My private practice before starting with IU Health was very diverse. I had patients of every race, numerous faiths and people from all over the world: Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Cambodian, Russian, Romanian, Nigerian, Liberian, Polish, French, English, Colombian, Haitian. The list goes on and on. I had a number of patients from the LGTB community too. I wanted everyone to feel welcome and cared for regardless of color, culture or lifestyle.

Early in my practice, I mourned the death of 2 of these patients from HIV/AIDS. We didn’t know much in the late 80’s of how to control this disease. At that time, it was a death sentence for anyone who acquired it . Thank goodness, research has helped millions to live with the HIV virus now. I will never forget one of these patients, Roger, a gay, Black man, as he was dying from the complications of AIDS. He had such a kind, gentle spirit throughout tremendous suffering. At one time, he had sores over his whole body from the disease. His sister was his caregiver but he had never told her that he was gay or that he was HIV positive. I encouraged him to confide in her and he finally did shortly before he passed away. She told me one day outside of his hospital room that she had already sensed the truth. She said Roger always made her wear gloves and took great precautions when she changed the dressings on his wounds. He was always protective of her. Knowing the truth did not change how she felt for her brother. Love does not change, no matter the circumstance. My eyes tear up as I write this because it was beautiful to witness such love and courage.

People, love crosses all boundaries. When we take the time to look beyond externals, beyond skin color and labels, we see real people who are much like ourselves. We may not agree with each other on many issues but we can enjoy each other on our common ground, if we are willing. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Love never fails. Love wins.

Be willing to reach out to someone who is different from yourself. Listen to them. Try to understand who they are. Agree to disagree in areas that can’t be reconciled. If each of us did this with even one or two people in our part of the world, the effect would be staggering.

None of us directly caused the shootings in Dallas, Minnesota or Baton Rouge. But each of us is accountable for the present culture of violence we live in. When we stay in our own comfortable group of people who are just like us, we promote division. This holds true for everyone: Black, White, Hispanic, every culture, creed and lifestyle. We all tend to stay in our own groups. We must purposefully cross racial and cultural lines. We must get to know each other in personal ways. This is the way love spreads, one person at a time, one relationship at a time.

This is my challenge and your challenge. This is my hope.