REMEMBRANCE - COCONUT GROVE FIRE
Prayer begins with a Need for Someone to Hear
by June Estelle (Donato} Cash
Bibleladyjunebug99
COCONUT GROVE - FIRE NOV 28 1942
The fire was at the Palm Beach Restaurant in Boston, MA.
I was home with my brother and two sisters, babysitting. All of 9 years age, I thought it was "alright" to be taking care
of my siblings. Most of the time, that is what I did, at least when not in school.
Mom and Dad went out.
This is what she told me later.
They were there with
another couple. Mother talked to my Dad
into "leaving" early on.
There were paper palm leaves,
paper trimmings and hangings
everywhere in the Restaurant.
The curtains were made of pretty
printed paper
that portrayed "a Palm Beach" scene
for everyone.
They left this restaurant,
and went to another
one, dancing all night, coming home in the morning.
The next morning, pictures of the FIRE
were in the paper. The other couple had
left without knowing Mom and Dad had left.
They came over and Mother was hugging
her friend and they were so overjoyed
all four of them were safe.
Neither knew that they were alive and
thought they had died.
What they did not know was that I as a little girl
taking care of my siblings, and "that was normal"
for that age and time. Sometime in the evening
I thought, Something's not right ! Mother !
Daddy ! You better get out of that place !
There is a fire going to happen !
And while I was trying to sleep, I only
asked God - whom I was not really sure
Who He Was yet - Please bring them home
safe.... and worried, I fell asleep.
That morning when they came in,
and then the other lady and her husband
came over, and were hugging, I knew
God had heard my prayer.
So I started searching for Him.
How about you?
Have you found God answered your prayers on
any matter? Have you ever discovered that
He really does ! answer P R A Y E R ?
I tell you true, I started to go to
a Girl Scout "Brownie" group that
met in a church there in Boston. They
had me learn the Girl Scout Pleadge,
and I worked to earn a "badge"
by learning the 10 commandments.
So by the time I went from Boston MA
to return to the Berkshires, and moved
to North Adams, MA.
In 1943 to 1944 I learned them,
and earned my "flying up" pin for
Girl Scouts. Although I never
was able to be in Girl Scouts again,
I do remember how I learned the
10 commandments.
In 1944, when I was in school in the 5th Grade,
a Mr. Herbert W. Clark, came to visit my
grade school, and pass out GIDEON NEW
TESTAMENTS to anyone who wished
to have one.
This elderly tall smiling gentleman,
in a suit, and wearing a tie, was
giving us "a New Testament"
The Bible. I did not have one.
So I received my new little book
and began to pour over every word.
I remember
going through
John 3.16
Jesus was the one who said it.
He was the One who came to show
me who God was ! and how my
heart responded to that !
I was 10 that year. And when Christmas
came in 1944, the Salvation Army brought
my family a Christmas Tree, with
things to put on it, and gifts to
put under it.
I remember getting a Devotional
for 365 days of the Year. It was
just right for a ten year old with
large print and pictures, and
something for each day
to learn from God's Word.
On Christmas Eve I was so grateful.
At last I understood that Jesus had
come to save sinners, and I was now
a Believer for I asked Him to cleanse
and wash me of my sin.
Romans 3.23
For all have sinned and come short
of the glory of God.
Romans 6.23
For the wages of sin is death, but
the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ, his Son.
2 Timothy 2.15
Study to show thyself
a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, rightly
dividing the word of truth.
That day I put
my name in John 3.16
FOR GOD SO LOVED WORLD
THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,
THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH
ON HIM
SHOULD NOT PERISH
BUT HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE.
He was the G I F T for me
that year,
so when the Salvation Army
had been so good to give
us a fine Christmas,
I visited an Evening service
at their meeting place.
That evening they showed
a slide film on the song
JESUS SAVIOR PILOT ME
I committed my life to Jesus
as the Pilot of my ship in life.
Never have I regretted it.
Never will I ever forget
how lost and alone
I felt
before the Savior came in to my life
through the Dear Holy Ghost who
was sent by the Father
when I believed on Jesus.
Jesus, Savior Pilot Me
Over life's tempestuous sea !
Unknown waves before me roll!
Hiding rocks and treach'rous shoal...
Chart and Compass come from thee,
Jesus, Savior ! Pilot me.
As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild,
Boist'rous waves obey thy will !
When Thou sayest to them, Be Still!
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, Pilot me !
When at last I near the Shore,
and the fearful breakers roar,
Twixt me and the peaceful rest -
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
Fear not ! I will pilot thee!
Why don't you put
your NAME in
John 3.16 ?
I recommend to you
God's own Son
as the very ONE
who, WHEN WE BELIEVE
BECOME CHILDREN
OF THE FATHER.
