Nov
18
A Word from Suzii – November 2011
Filed Under Director's Column
FIRE!
We had a major fire in our home on October 14 while I was in Africa….several of you have asked, here are my recent thoughts:
There is nothing but an endless stream of tedious and sad work to clean up after a fire at home. Smoke, ash, smell and tracking the dusty residues of fire are ever-present. Little wisps of feathered charcoal work their way between pages of books and into the graceful fibers of silk scarves; they settle everywhere as if to remind you of the laws of nature that provide that air itself can be the carrier of destruction.
The work of a fiery mess is enough, but today we are entering an even more daunting and frightening territory. Arson. Someone deliberately set this blaze. Someone took a match or lighter and held it to the corner of our lives until it caught ablaze. Someone lit two simultaneous fires in our house from a plan they hatched to make double sure it burned. Did they doubt themselves or were they just habitually thorough? They used items that they either carried in or found to build a fire with us in mind. With us in mind. With us in mind. This thought is terrifying.
There is no known perpetrator at this time, but there is an ongoing investigation. The mystery of it all lends to the feelings of fear and frustration. We are blessed nevertheless with cooperative insurance agents and adjusters and a number of service providers helping us put the pieces back together. Cleaning and restoration is a mountain of work itself but with a welcome “next chapter” end in sight.
Besides exhaustion and frustration however is another very strong impulse. An impulse to outshine the destroyer and neutralize the feeling of violation by overwhelming it with the strength of love in sheer record numbers.
The prayers, kindnesses and generous friendship of so many have surrounded us with – well, joy. In the light of this crisis, we are the fortunate ones to be surrounded by the love and hope that are the hallmarks of God’s grace in our lives.
So in the very shadow of the footprint of a destroyer, I feel like a party. I want the more the merrier. I want FBC Austin and CLC and a hundred footsteps to step where the destroyer stepped. I want to bury the intent to destroy with the promise of love. This is the cleaning process that is beyond ashes and soot and tedious days. I don’t want to wait for new paint and sheet rock to bring the blessing of joy. Before it’s all pretty again, side by side with ashes, I already have the blessed assurance that makes the journey through the crisis a sure journey.
I NEED to put out the fires of retribution and open up my own channels of grace. I want to make visible the life giving community of our family love, the resilience of friendship, the support of our church and Christian friends. I want my children, my neighbors, my universe to see love in action. That’s a party.
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9 Responses to “A Word from Suzii – November 2011”
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Suzii, we give thanks for you this Thanksgiving! You are such a blessing! God bless!
Suzii, You both are such wonderful examples of Gods love and faithfulness. What a terrible experience, but keep up your great spirit. Happy Thanksgiving for countless blessings.
Suzii, You are both such wonderful examples of Gods love and faithfulness. This is a terrible experience but keep your spirits up.Happy Thanksgiving for all the good things !
Suzi, I remember you well from my days on the CLC Board, and am inspired by your brave, spiritual and insightful response to this intrusion in your life. Blessings to you always (now a North Carolinian at Binkley Baptist) gwen sherwood
Suzii and Roger,
Our prayers are with you as you restore your house. We celebrate your triumphant spirit and approach to this unfortunate experience. May the one who created the chaos come to know the source of the hope that sustains you.
Lester and Donna
For Betty and me it has been a joy to be a part of your recovery and to be here in Austin to walk the Christian journey with you and Roger.
Suzi: We are shocked and saddened to learn of this tragic fire and the strange circumstances relating to it, but we are grateful for your positive spirit and know you will measure up, as you always do, to turn this tragedy into something positive.
Suzii-
…just now seeing your director’s column…so sorry for your loss and the mysterious motivation behind it … physical evidence of fire is difficult to accept, but it can be cleaned up and property restored, but there is still the lingering sense of violation and the nagging “why?” which are harder to dispel. I’m so thankful for your personal physical safety and will pray with/for you God’s peace in all these things. Admire your GREAT attitude, and want to join you in the party !! pat
Suzi, thank you for the example showing the enemy won’t win! Keep on, keeping on.