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“For still the vision awaits its appointed time;
it hastens to the end—it will not lie.
If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

Changed in a moment

The morning of August, 30, 2011, started like any other morning. My husband, Steve, headed to Fort Worth for a business meeting, and I stood in my closet looking for something to wear. If I had known the saying, “They were left standing with nothing but the clothes on their backs,” would be a true one, I promise you, I would have chosen something different to wear that day.

News of an ‘out-of-control’ wildfire heading towards The Cliffs where we lived, led to Steve’s desperate attempt to get to our home and save our two elderly dogs.

Steve’s last call to me was, “I’m going to get Abby and Sweet Pea. I will call you when I can.” And I waited.

After warnings of the extreme danger from the fast-moving fire, a fireman took Steve to the house. Cutting his hand, he broke through a glass door, and though our dogs had to have been so afraid, they trusted and followed their rescuer.

With our dogs, that fireman drove through 80 foot high flames to escape.

Standing at the smoking rubble and ash the next morning, our friend and employee of our local electric company sent to evaluate the damage, took a picture of what was left of our home and sent it with a text to Steve, “I’m so sorry, Buddy.”

Finding our way home

Our silent journey home took us through a scorched and desolate land. Street signs and landmarks we had always followed were gone. Nothing was as it had been before.

God, are You there?

We asked that question following the fire.

As a widow, have you looked for God and asked that same question? I certainly have.

We may have sat with our husbands and heard a diagnosis of cancer, heart disease or some other terminal condition. Or in a moment, our lives were changed as we heard news of a tragic accident, a heart-rending act of suicide, act of violence…or after the sounds of Code Blues and doctors speaking of a heart attack called the “Widow Maker.”

Though our circumstances are different, there was that one moment, our lives changed, never to be the same again…and we made that silent journey home without our husbands by our side.

Habakkuk asked God a question.

“O Lord, how long shall I cry for help,
and you will not hear?”
Habakkuk 1:2a

Habakkuk was a great intercessor for Israel during a time of wickedness, injustice and misery. He questioned why God had not acted on the suffering of His people.

So distraught from the pain, Habakkuk went to the Lord. It was in that time of prayer, communication with God, he began to understand there was a glorious, appointed time, scheduled by God Himself when He would not only save His people from their sins, rescue them from their enemies…

He would wipe away every tear from their eyes.

The Lord’s Answer

“For still the vision awaits its appointed time.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

Our VISION is our very HOPE in the Lord. He is coming again!

What can obscure our vision?

It might be standing in the desolation of a fire, smoldering ash covering what previously was a home containing forty years of memories…

Or grief so consuming we can’t imagine living one more day without our husbands.

I love God’s answer to Habakkuk…a message of HOPE. Our Abba Father explaining,

“If it seems slow, wait for it;
it will surely come; it will not delay.”
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV)

“Look among the nations, and see;
wonder and be astounded.
For I am doing a work in your days
that you would not believe if told.”
Habakkuk 1:5 (ESV)

Our vision will clear, and we will remember
where our help comes from.

Oh, Heavenly Father, help us to be patient and keep our eyes on You, Lord, as we await Your appointed time. May we trust You, knowing the work You began in each of us, You will finish. Thank You for walking with us in this season. Amen