From fire to hope: My family’s Good Friday story

by Kevin McCollum

On Good Friday 2019, my family experienced a major house fire. While we were away on a day hike enjoying God’s creative beauty, all of our worldly possessions were simultaneously being reduced to gray ash. It was one of the most shocking and emotional events I’ve experienced.

Yet, in His perfect timing, He used this fire (and aftermath) to remind us of His great grace and redeeming love. That very night, several friends gathered with us, singing “It is Well” as the flames from the fire revealed the tears we shared. And, two days later, while the embers were still warm, we celebrated the power of Christ’s resurrection on Easter Sunday, carrying borrowed Bibles and wearing unfamiliar clothes.

As the seventh anniversary approaches in a few short weeks, I’ve been reflecting on how the experience has reshaped our perspective on possessions. The oft-quoted words of Matthew 6:19-21opens in a new tab about treasures on earth took on new meaning, as the fire created an unexpected opportunity to reconsider the true purpose of all of our things.

A few months after the fire took place, my wife, Michelle, wrote the story below to share with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers who supported us in the aftermath. The outpouring of generosity and care during that time was a gift greater than all we lost. As you read our story, I pray that you will see God’s grace shining through the destruction, as we did.

The unexpected

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This was to be a day to remember – a spring hike on scenic pathways amongst blooming flowers and trees. The sound of songbirds and the rushing flow of waterfalls and creeks following the fresh spring rains were sure to be fixed indelibly in our minds as we made sweet family memories in quality conversations, playful interactions, and sharing the awe of God’s handiwork in creation.

We ended our day at Twin Falls (Triple Falls on this day). Tired but satisfied, we sought to commemorate our day with a quick family photo before heading back to Fayetteville in time for our Good Friday service with our church family.

From beauty to ashes

As we topped the hill driving out of the Kyle’s Landing area and entered spotty cell range, our phones began to alert us to calls and texts. Answering a call from my dad, I heard, “Your house is on fire…” and then the call dropped. We never could have anticipated or dreamed the living nightmare that was to follow.

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Our presence had not yet been realized by others, and we sat and sobbed as we took in the scene before us; neighbors, friends, family, and firefighters covered our yard, helplessly watching, as they had given it up for lost. The backdrop to the horrific scene was the familiar landscape of the rural beauty of God’s glorious creation – the distant view of those suddenly distant memories of our special day.

The flame shall not consume you

In the face of tragedy and loss, our family holds firmly to the truth that Christ reigns and has not abandoned us. In fact, we see His providential hand at work even as we mourn the loss of our beloved home. Our gratitude to the Lord, that He had us safely out of the house together when tragedy struck, sparing us the agony and trauma of “what could have been,” has been a great comfort in the midst of our grief.

This world is not our home. Our eternal hope is in Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, who lived a perfect life in bodily form and died a criminal’s death in sacrifice for our sins against Him. A holy and perfect God defeated death in the resurrection so that we might have eternal life by His grace and through faith in Jesus.

As you consider what God has entrusted to you, connect with our NCF Heartland team to explore how your possessions and resources can become part of your Giving Strategy™.