Early A.M. Wake-up Call for Prayer

Anytime your phone rings in the middle of the night it probably means that someone needs help. This morning my phone rang at 3:45 (and as I reached for it in my half awaken state) I saw a familiar name on the display, which of course sent my heart rate up. As I answered the phone I heard my friend's voice, a little shaky, yet no sign of panic or distress.

"Dale, I wanted to call you and let you know that we are safe, but the fire is so close to our home that we were forced to leave."

My friends Tim and Donna Fritcher, who live in San Marcos, were forced to leave their home this morning because a brush fire is threatening the Cal State San Marcos area. Tim and Donna have two children, Thomas and Hannah. Of course, I am concerned about their home, but I am so thankful that they were able to evacuate and flee to safety.

My wife and I were led into prayer this morning after this phone call. A prayer for protection. A prayer of thankfulness. A prayer for His will. Though the want and desire of sleep is still hanging over me as I write this post, I wanted to post what a blessing it has been to be in prayer this very early a.m. for my friends. Prayer is a gift and I was reminded this morning that regardless of the time of day, our God stands ready to hear from us, so much so that he gets us out of bed in order to have us pray for our friends and neighbors.

Hell's Best Kept Secret