Gas Leak and Explosion

They lived together; the man.  The woman.  Her daughter.
Living off her welfare, sleeping on old mattresses on the floor.

Sleeping in late, the woman thought she smelled gas.  She told the man, whose face was buried in a blanket.  He responded with a moan.

Have you ever felt like you could handle a situation by yourself.  Maybe it was changing a light bulb.  Or a fuse.  Or a flat tire.  At those times, you feel good about being self-sufficient.  Those are the times that you bring your children along.  "I want you to see how it's done."  You feel proud.

There are other times when you need to get out.

The man discovered, as many men do, that there will be no rest until the situation is addressed.  Sniffing around the house, he ruled out the main floor.  Yawning and scratching, he opened the basement door.

The gas smell was stronger downstairs.  The light switch had no effect - the bulb had been out for weeks - he'd have to change that soon or lose more sleep.

Thump, thump, thump.  He protested with his feet on each step.  He needed to assess the situation, but could not see.  His hand slipped into his pants pocket, his thumb finding its familar place on the knurled flint wheel of his cigarette lighter.

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)


Sometimes the toughest decision is between what I can do by myself and what I need help for.  Sometimes, I can handle it on my own and sometimes, I need to get out of the house.

Kaboom.

The house was blown three inches off its foundation.  Windows were blown out.  No one slept anymore.

God provides an exit door for you and me.  He doesn't expect us to face temptation alone.  He loves us enough to give us another option.  He wants us to run.

Get out of the house.

Minor burns.  Hair singed.  Lesson learned.

When you smell gas, get out of the house.


When you are tempted, get out of the house.