Would I still sing that if....?

All day long I've had the hymm, 'Surely Goodness and Mercy' (I'm pretty sure that's what it's called anyway) stuck in my head. The song pretty much repeats itself saying:

"Surely goodness and mercy will follow me, all the days of my life."

While quietly singing that, this evening, Dad's pager went off (he and big brother Chris are volunteer firemen) for a structure fire a little ways up in the hills from us. Dad and Chris tore out of the house and began driving to the fire station. They called a few moments later and told us to go outside and look east. There, sure enough, was a black column of smoke rising into the sky, billowing larger and darker each passing minute. We took a walk up a road that gave us a good veiw of the angry pillar and watched the firetrucks, tenders, brush rigs and ambulances zoom up towards their destination.

"There goes Sheridan!"

"Hey, I think I saw dad!"

We watched as Sheridan, West Valley, Amity, Mcminnville and a few other places send their firetrucks, all coming to conquer to fire.

We finally gave up trying to count after truck number 18 and began our way home. The smoke was showing signs that the firefighters were giving it all they had, but it still continued.....

On our way home, I heard mom humming the hymm, and it made me wonder who the people were, that owned the burning house.....

It made me wonder, "could I still sing that hymm, 'Surely goodness and mercy', if I was the one watching my house burn and smolder to the ground?"

It made me wonder, "Would I still find myself humming that song after a tragedy?"

I certainly hope so.

Another song that I feel goes hand in hand with that hymm is the song 'Count Your Blessings."

"When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed. When you are discouraged thinking all is lost; count you many blessings, name them one by one, and it will suprise you what the Lord has done."

We just need to remember that, no matter what happens, the Lord is there to comfort and guide. We sometimes get caught up with the questions: "Why?" Or "How could a loving God....?"

We just need to trust and obey......

Just a thought..... :)

~Caitlyn