SermonStudio

The Panorama Fire in Southern California burned out of control. Everywhere one looked there was fire: on the hillside, up over the ridge, and on the next ridge of hills. The San Bernardino Mountains had been dry for months after a long, hot summer. It was close to Thanksgiving and the fire burned much in its path.

The Perkins family's home was nestled in a quiet neighborhood in the foothills of San Bernardino. They were just east of California State University and just south of a ridge of hills. They had a lovely house: four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a recreation room, and a large garage. Phil Perkins was a mechanic and loved to tinker on old cars after work. His garage held just about every kind of automotive tool imaginable. It was his pride and joy.

Judy loved to sew for their two daughters. Her brand new serger gleamed. It was parked alongside her computerized sewing machine in the corner of the rec room where they spent much of their time as a family. Judy wanted to learn about machine embroidery and her little glass piggy bank on the sewing counter was stuffed with dollar bills. She knew in about three months she would have enough to buy the latest machine available.

Stacy and Shelly, the twins, had an enormous collection of Barbies. Judy and Phil could not have more children and so they splurged on the girls. The fourth bedroom was the "Barbie room," complete with three Barbie dollhouses. There must have been enough outfits to fill an entire suitcase!

Stacy and Shelly were at their playgroup down the street when the fire broke out. Judy was sewing banners at church for the Christmas service when she heard about the fast-approaching fire. Phil never heard about the fire until he looked up from under the hood of a car and saw it. It was forty miles away, but he could see it burning down the hillside. He knew it was close to the University. Even from such a long distance, its huge white library could be clearly seen. He yelled to his boss, jumped in his truck and started for home.

Cell phones were not as common then. Phil stopped at a gas station to call the church to warn Judy to go home and pick up the girls. But she was already on her way, the secretary said. Phil was to meet Judy and the girls at his mother's house. Phil's heart beat so fast he thought he was going to suffocate. He just had to get home and see where the fire's path was.

He raced north on the interstate, going as fast as he dared without going too much over the speed limit. It seemed all the cars were headed south anyway. Two miles from the turnoff, a sheriff's car had the road blocked. All traffic would have to turn around. Phil pleaded with the sheriff, but he was not impressed with his behavior and the sheriff threatened to arrest Phil if he ran the blockade. Phil turned around.

He got off at the first exit and headed north, wondering what to do. He stopped at a little grocery store and called his mother's home. Judy and the girls were fine. Phil told them he was going to try to make it home.

But he didn't make it that day. On the way, Phil saw a bunch of college students thumbing for a ride. He stopped and let them in and dropped them off at the mall, where one of the students' father worked.

The radio was blaring instructions of which schools let the children out where. There was a sense of chaos. Phil could see the fire burning closer and closer. There was a hypnotizing effect as he watched it soar down the hills.

Phil was overwhelmed. His heart was beating too wildly. He couldn't think of what to do: should he try to get home? But what could he do? Should he just try to get to his mother's house at the bottom of the valley? He was confused.

Phil parked his truck. He felt very cold and his shoulder was aching. He knew he had to get hold of himself. Phil started to pray. He was so confused: he knew he was on the verge of panic. As he prayed for the Holy Spirit to take control of the situation, Phil could feel himself relax. He breathed a little slower and a little deeper.

The radio reported that several homes were now on fire on his street. The fire was now running alongside the University and any volunteers in the area who could help were asked to come and help throw water on surrounding buildings. Students were asked to clear the dorms and student housing areas as quickly as they could. Phil decided to help. If his own house was going to burn, maybe the least he could do was save some other building or home. Phil felt himself return to a sense of calm. It was as if a little voice was telling him what to do. He felt confident that God was helping him and with God's help, he could face whatever the future held.

Phil and Judy's house burned to the ground. Nothing was salvaged but the mailbox. But what was salvaged was Phil's sense of God with him. He experienced a closeness to God at that time that he has never felt before or since.