God Bless You

I did a story about a family right out of Job. A week ago, their house burned down and everything they owned went with it. This family of seven lived in a house in a part of town that most Houstonians never go to. They had just moved in a couple of months ago and were starting to save some money. In a place where it is hard to try, just hard to live for that matter, they were doing the opposite of many of their ‘neighbors.’

Fortunately nobody was hurt in the fire. A few days later, one of their kids had their foot run over by a driver who didn’t stop to help. It wasn’t broken, but badly sprained. They all have this amazing strength, but seem on the verge of losing it.

As I was leaving I said, “I’m sorry,” as if that means anything to them and added, “God bless you.”

I have no idea why I said God bless you. I never say that. And it especially seemed small in light of everything.

Despite the account of Job and what many think today, I have no belief that God is testing them or trying to show them something nor is the devil working his ‘power’ on them. It was a tragedy followed by another unfortunate event that was barreling right down the center of their lives. It, however, was not much more of a tragedy compared to the abject poverty that they live in.

God bless you?

~ by bart on January 26, 2008.