As many of you who read this blog know, I just returned from a two week trip from Israel and Jordan.  There will be many blogs to come over time about my experience there.  It was incredible.  My wife and kids and I decided to have a lunch out yesterday after church to celebrate me being home.  The kids picked Genji (a Japanese steak house).  I loved this pick and was excited to enjoy the food and time with the family.

As we sat there getting ready for a meal to be prepared, my daughter (Kaiya) remembered that at one point in the process of cooking the food there would be a fire coming from the grill.  She asked me about it and I told her that I would let it know when it was about to happen.  As the “fire” was about to happen, I told Kaiya and she crawled up in my lap.  The picture shows her drawing near to me.   She dug in deep and hugged me.  She trusted her daddy to protect her and give her comfort as the fire was around her.

As she did this, an important truth hit me.  When fires show up in our lives, we should never be afraid to lean radically into our heavenly Father.  He promises that He will never leave or forsake us.  He is strong and a protector.  He is with us.  He cares.  He can stand the heat.  He identifies with us.  So when the fire comes, craw up on your heavenly Father’s lap and let him comfort you.