Under Water

Our basement flooded last week.  We have been busy bailing out and salvaging memories.  It has been a time-consuming, soggy mess. 

Somehow I was so busy playing with Wynn that I didn’t hear the basement filling up with water as it happened . . . I walked down to the basement about mid-morning with baby on hip and  basket of laundry in hand and stepped into ice cold water that was above my ankles.  I gasped out of raw shock-mostly because of the freezing cold-and then my eyes slowly took in the scene and my mind started to grasp what had happened as I watched a pair of baby booties float by in ripples of rain water.  

As I sit writing, we are finally on the other side of the clean-up, which included a team of professionals, soggy carpet removal and approximately 1,000 loads of laundry.  There isn’t a shred of clutter left to my name-a bright spot, I suppose.  Our load has been lightened to say the very least.  I cried because I had to throw out the guest book from our wedding-pages torn and bleeding ink-it simply couldn’t be saved.  Plus stacks of old photos in water-laden albums.

I am reminded for the second time in as many years that waters may rise but that it is no matter, for my savior walks on water and my treasure He safe guards in heaven.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust [and water!] destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . . For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Mark 6:19-22

13 Comments

  1. Erin, I am so sorry to hear of it, truly, the only thing that we can take to Heaven is people that we have won to the Lord, everything else is temporary.

    It is amazing how the Lord works with us loosen the hold of the world upon the strings of our hearts so that eventually all that matters is Him.

    My daughter-in-love told me how she came to the realization that her first born was given to her by the Lord and thus not really “hers”. My son, her husband, was my first-born, and I remember the process well.

    Lord, comfort Erin please. Thank you.

  2. *Tearful* Wishin somethin really great happens to make you smile and ease your heart even if its just for a moment.(sorry again)

  3. Erin, so sorry to hear what happened. We had a leak a few weeks back. Fortunately, we didn’t go out of town for Spring Break or it would have been disasterous! You are so right, the real treasures can never be taken away from you.

  4. Dear Erin,
    I’m so sorry that you have lost some of your keepsakes but I’m glad that you recognize your real treasures.

    I have been meaning to upload our photos to Shutterfly just in case something happens.

    I hope you have a blessed day!

  5. Oh yuck Erin…our basement flooded massively twice in the same year, both times RIGHT after it was totally finished with new carpet etc. The first time, I managed well…the second time I sat on the top steps and cried. We lost nothing of real value though…thank God none of my “good” stuff was down there..I feel for you! Keep some of the sentimental stuff even if it’s a soggy mess…it will dry out, and be all icky, but you will have the memories still! Wish I could help you!

  6. I am so sorry for your loss! My heart goes out to you. But, what a testimony to the Lord as you remember that your treasures are in heaven. What godly wisdom you have.

  7. oh Erin! I’m so sad to hear this! I know the clean up of that kind must be absolutley no fun at all!! we had a large amount of leakage here but thus far have lost nothing but the carpet!! So glad you’re able to stay strong in Christ!

  8. Erin, we had the exact same thing happen to us 1 month to the day of moving into our house. And the only reason my husband knew about it(I was at the market at the time) was because this house had natural gas hooked up before we purchased it, and the water “killed” our natural gas, thus giving my husband a very cool shower. He went down stairs to see what the problem was, and there were 6 inches of water in our fourth level. Lovely!!!

    The good news is, gotta love flood insurance. Bad news, the horrible mess, and the first cleaning crew did a horrible job, needing another cleaning crew to come in. Was a very trying time. I really feel for you!

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