What a lovely place! It's a little town in a little valley in north eastern Arizona. Everything there is quaint and simple. It was a delightful vacation.
Greer was also very close to the Wallow Fire. In fact, we saw some of the burnt forest. On the mountains surrounding the little town, the top 1/4 or so was completely burned. This made my heart very sad. While the LORD values us much more than sparrows and much more than pine trees, they are still part of His creation- and it is sad to see such things pass away.
So the top 1/4 was burned to a crisp, the next 1/4 slightly toasted- with trees that were yellowy- but the bottom half was untouched- green and lovely as ever.
How does that happen? As I stared at it, I wondered how a mighty gust of wind didn't come along and spread the fire down the mountain and into the town. I don't know much about forest fires, but it seemed as if just a little more time and a little more wind and our vacation spot would have been gone.
This made my heart exceedingly thankful. A little bit selfishly as I didn't want to cancel our vacation. But exceedingly thankful for God's grace in general. It was as if I could see His hand holding the fire back. As if I could hear his voice saying "You can burn this tree, but not that one."
Amidst disaster, it is important to remember God's sovereign hand in everything. He is ultimately in control- even when our world seems out of control.
I'm sure God seems very real to the people who live in Greer- who feared there homes would be destroyed. I'm sure His kindness and grace is very real to them now. I know looking at that mountain, it is very real to me.
Isaiah 55:12
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.
Wants to see pictures of our trip? Click here. : )
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