The Fire
By Mike Musgrove
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flash…no, it was more than a flash, it was a flame. It was a frigid morning and as many before him had done, a man was lighting some cardboard on fire for a moment of relief from the cold.
I kept driving. In the morning, there is often a team of police, city engineers and bylaw officers just around the corner from where I am situated, so I decided to let them know what I had seen. However, on this morning they were not there.
Should I call the police, Fire Department, or should I just go talk to Firestarter and see what I can accomplish on my own. No, it will be dangerous. Yes, you probably know the person. No, it really isn’t my business, and the police should deal with it. Yes, because “yes” is really the only answer.
I drove around the block and as I rounded the corner, I could see the flames lighting up the otherwise dark storefront. I started to hurry over and then stopped for a cyclist, who rode by cautiously, his expression lit by the streetlight. He seemed relieved that I might be dealing with the fire. I drove up to the fire lit storefront. It was dark around the fire, and I could not see who the man was.
“Ummm, I think you could get in a lot of trouble for this.”
He gave me the “who the [expletive] are you?” look and continued to add more cardboard to the fire. This fire was about to get a lot bigger.
I then used a phrase that has saved me from trouble a few times, “It is Mike from SUMS.” At that moment we recognized each other.
“Mike?”
“Sean?”
Confident that I was safe to speak freely, I said, “There are a million reasons why you need to put that fire out immediately.”
He came over to me, “I couldn’t get inside last night. Look at my hands!” They were swollen and red. “I am so sick of this. I want to call my mom.” The box was now starting to catch fire, and I made a quick deal.
“You put out that fire and we’ll call your mom.”
He kicked over the box and stomped out the flames. We called his mom. She didn’t pick up but he left a message asking her to come get him. I finished his message with, “Hi Dana, Its Mike from SUMS. Call if you need to.”
I told Sean that he could head over to SUMS for breakfast in a half hour and talk to Wayne. “He will help you get a bed if you need it.” I drove away, called Wayne and we solidified a plan for Sean. The only hurdle left was Sean getting to the doors of the shelter and walking in. The adverse effects of drug use and poor mental health are barriers to even the simplest plans.
For those who live outside or in shelters, the barriers that keep them from change are immense. Sometimes the struggles with substance use and mental health are so enormous that change seems impossible. So, we keep putting out fires.
A hand when someone needs help up
Food when she is hungry
Shelter when they are cold
A joke when sadness is deep
A listening ear when he is lonely
Naloxone when he is dying
There are some fires that need to be put out, but there is also a great spark that comes from an everlasting love from an all-powerful Heavenly Father, who has a plan to demolish the barriers and bring life.
God can do anything. Far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it without pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently guiding us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes! (Ephesians 3:20, The Message)
Lord willing, we will find ways to lift others from their suffering and stagnancy to a place of joy and hope. Please keep us in your prayers as we search for new and wonderful ways to stir sparks of hope into roaring fires of life.