153 A Song Amidst the Ashes
Ned looked at what was left of his home in despair. Wildfires had recently ravaged the area and destroyed his entire neighborhood. The fire department had just let everyone back in the neighborhood after the last of the lingering flames were finally doused. Ned look around him and saw devastated families crying in the streets.
Ned looked up into the dreay sky above. He wanted to just scream out, "Why, God? Why? What did we ever do to you?" However, as he opened his mouth, no words came out. Despite all the pain, frustration, anger, and bitterness felt, Ned suddenly recalled his father's teachings. Ned was taken aback by all the memories flooding him at this moment. Why think about his father's teachings now?
Ned remembered when he was young, his father would always gather his family around the piano and sing every evening. They would only sing two or three songs, but Ned's father would incorporate Bible verses into the songs. That is how Ned learned the Bible. He remembered the verses that his father taught him to commit to memory - verses that spoke of hope, the power of prayer, and trusting in divine guidance.
Ned's father would always give him the same advice before he tucked Ned away at bedtime: Put God first, even when things get difficult. Never forget to sing. God is always watching you. Leave your troubles to him. Soon, we will all sing together again.
Ned then slowly walked into the middle of the streets where his neighbors were and started to sing. The neighbors were shocked, and some of them got angry at Ned at first, but Ned kept singing serenely. At that moment, Ned gave all his pains, worries, and troubles to God. Ned sang and praised God's name. As Ned started to singing, his next-door neighbor Will joined in. The rest of the neighbors were even more shocked, given that everyone knew Will was an atheist. Slowly, more and more people joined in with Ned and Will, singing together.
Put God first, even when things get difficult. Never forget to sing. God is always watching you. Leave your troubles to him. Soon, we will all sing together again.
Recommended reading:
- Job 5:19, Psalms 34:17
