We had a storm last Thursday night. Adam and I were watching it out the front window; it was fascinating. The lightning was striking all around and very near; the thunder was booming almost immediately after. The rain came down like sheets of water and looked like a waterfall as it was so heavy. I don't remember ever seeing this type of rain before. Suddenly, we heard a loud CRAAACCK!!! One of the maple trees in the front yard broke. I dragged Adam quickly backward from the window as I thought it was coming right in. It didn't. It twisted and came down on the roof and on the deck outside our kitchen door. The storm continued for about another twenty minutes; it lasted a total of about half an hour. I was waiting for it to be over so that I could go outside and see how much damage had been done. When I did, it appeared to be very little, and I was thankful for that AND that we have good homeowner's insurance. We are in Good Hands. :0} And good hands with Allstate.The next morning, I called and filed a claim. They assured me we were covered and that the adjuster would come on Tuesday to inspect and see what we needed done. "Go ahead and have the tree removed, but take pictures" the claims department told me. So I did and posted them on Facebook. Of course. I called my regular tree service guys, but they were out of town. I called another local company that my husband Paul suggested, but he was busy with so much work already that he couldn't come until Monday. The third company gave me an emergency number to call, and it ended up being one of the owners who was in California on vacation, but assured me he would call one of the foremen and get someone over the same day. He was as good as his word. I heard from someone within the hour, and he was at the house shortly thereafter.
His name is Don.We spent some time going over the possible ways of removing the tree, the possibility of damage happening during the process and the price. I told him that the insurance company told me to get 2 or 3 estimates; he gave me a good price right away. He also promised to get a crew here the same day. I said that would be great, and that they had the job. Then he said "I wasn't supposed to be here." I said, "You mean because of another job?" He answered, "No. I mean I wasn't supposed to live. I'm a cancer survivor." I stuck out my hand and took his and said "Me too. I am a survivor also." He was somewhat taken aback, and then told me his story. He had been diagnosed in November, had surgery, chemo and radiation, lost 80 pounds, and here he was, back at work. We talked for a while. (You never know who is coming to your house, do you? But God stopped by too.)
I was encouraging him; he was saying "I don't know why I'm still here." I said,"Because you fought." He answered "No, I didn't. I prayed every day to die." Wow. So then I told him that he is here because God is not finished with him. That he has a purpose that he hasn't yet fulfilled. He might not know what that is, and neither do I, but God does. Just as I spoke these words to him, a cool breeze began to blow. There had not been a breath of air at all before this, and it was a hot day. We were both sweating. I told him that the Lord sent the breeze to show him that He was with him right then and there. And to refresh him. He just shook his head and said "yeah. that was kinda freaky." I told him that I really meant it, and he agreed that something unusual had happened. So I took the chance and pressed forward a bit more, and said that I didn't know his spirituality, mentioned I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and told him that the Hebrew word for Spirit, breath and wind are all the same. He said that yeah, his wife is really religious. So I invited him into the house and showed him the picture of the Fire Tree, and told him the story. He was amazed. (you can read this story in the beginning of my blog; it is the first entry. just scroll down and click older posts.)
He left and came back with a crew a few hours later. The tree was down in about an hour. No extra damage. We tipped them and told them to have dinner on us, chatted for a few minutes and they left. Don would be back on Monday with the bill.
On Monday, my Snapfish order came. I had ordered a photo mug and some prints to frame for Paul; our anniversary is coming up and he loves new pictures. I had also ordered some prints of the fire tree. I wanted some copies to give away. The mail got here before Don did. He gave me the bill and I offered him a print of the tree. He said "Really? I would love a copy..." I gave him one and he stared at it for a few minutes. I said I was sorry that the quality wasn't better, but that you could still see it clearly. He said "Oh yeah, no doubt about it. You can't deny what this is." He was truly grateful for the picture. I thanked him for coming and getting the work done so quickly; he told me he was so glad to have met me. I said the same.
I am always amazed at how the Lord orchestrates things. He wanted to touch Don's heart, and He worked things out for him to be the one to come here for our storm damage. Don has a different kind of storm damage to clean up; I think the Lord has begun the work. I hope we meet again.
