O holy night

Last evening, my wife and I went to a birthday party for a friend.  Drove home in a steady rain anxious to get inside to a dry, safe house.  

I have put up Christmas lights around our front trees.  They are lovely, except when it gets wet.  They short out and trip the GFCI outdoor plugs.  Which includes the plug for our garage door opener. 

We pulled into the driveway and quickly figured out the garage door wasn't operating and was locked.  We cannot get in through the back of the house because the fence gate is locked.  Looking at each other with desperation, we said, "We don't have a front door key on us, do we?"  And we didn't and that's when the adventure began.  

I thought I could scale and jump the back fence.  It is 8 feet tall.  It is very wet, still raining.  I am very out of shape.  It is cold and dark.  So, I attempted it and got close to the top of the fence but realized something very painful was about to happen to me.  

So I got back into the car and announced, "I cannot believe I'm this stupid to not have a house key hidden somewhere around.  Just because I deserve it, I'm going to drive this car through the back fence and I'll just have to pay to get it all fixed."  Steam was coming out of my ears.  

Lea just quietly said, "Can't we drive up to the fire station and see if they can help?"  Such an angel.

So we drove the the station house.  Knocked on the door, and three young heroes came to see what the commotion was.  I explain the dilemma.  They say, "We'll meet you in front of your house."

And in no time, they were there.  Three young men, none yet to reach 30, were all ready to help in whatever way they could.  

Since October 7, we have also flown an Israeli flag on the front of our house to show our support and solidarity with the people of Israel.  As Christians, we are called to "pray for the peace of Jerusalem."

One of the young men asked if we were Jewish.  I said no.  He said, "I am. Why do you fly the Israeli flag?"  I tried to provide him some history and scripture to put it into context for him.  

"Sir, I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to see that flag.  Being a Jew in the fire department, it can get a bit lonely sometimes.  Lots of people just don't understand or care about our connection to Israel.  Thank you for standing with me and us.  It makes me feel less lonely already."

With that, we go to the back of the house.  Before I can say boo, one young man has scaled the fence and is asking me for the combination of the lock on the gate.  

Boom.  We were in.  

We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night.  

Happy Christmas.  

Thrilled to have made someone who makes me feel safe feel safer himself.  

P.S.  I'll be smoking racks and racks of ribs for my new heroes on Tuesday.