A Year of Being Kind blog – Monday, October 27, 2014
Being Kind at the Sound of a Siren
It’s quiet around here. It’s later in the evening, with my husband and son abed, asleep. I don’t even have music playing. (I often like to listen to soft, quiet music. Usually instrumental. Often classical, but not exclusively so.)
The blare of a siren disturbs me from my computer-ing. The sound of a siren is a pretty common occurrence around here, truth to tell. Our condominium is less than two blocks from a fire station. And, three blocks from a hospital, in addition to the other emergency vehicles from the firehouse.
I have a special place in my heart for emergency vehicles and those in them. Especially firefighters and paramedics. To charge into a risky or even dangerous situation without running in the opposite direction? That takes bravery of a special kind. I can even tell whether a siren is coming toward the hospital, or going away. On their way to another emergency situation. In fact, I pray for emergency vehicles wherever and whenever I can.
When an ambulance flashes its lights and sounds its siren, I often think of the paramedics inside. If they are going through the otherwise-quiet night, I pray. Some years ago, I might even go to the window and try to catch a glimpse. And I pray. Pray for the paramedics, and firefighters. Pray for those being transported. Pray, too, for the medical staff in the hospital where the ambulance is headed.
I wonder—does God have an early warning alarm? For when I or anyone I know is going to need an ambulance. What about then? Let’s go even further, and consider situations where God has special input or influence. How is God moving today? Does the Lord just stand off, far away, arms crossed over chest? Or, is the Lord intimately concerned for the least little things that happen?
Truly, God moves in mysterious ways. But we can be sure that God is with people, actively loving them, accompanying them, being present with them. Do you believe God is a very present help of times of trouble and need? God was with me, when I was a teenager. I was seriously ill and had to be rushed to the hospital, except I didn’t ride to the hospital in the ambulance. My mom brought me. Talk about out of the clear blue sky. I’ve never really thought of this before, but perhaps this long-ago situation is one of the reasons I am so concerned about ambulances and fire engines. Why I earnestly pray for them.
God, please be with the paramedics, fire fighters, police officers. All who rush in where other (sensible?) people do not. Dear God, help me to pave the way for these brave souls. Or, at the very least, get out of the way, and let them through the streets! Please, strengthen and preserve all those souls. Lord, in Your mercy, hear all of our prayers.
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