While looking through my archives at some older columns, I came across one that was written and printed in the Times-Gazette before Thanksgiving of 2012.

I had forgotten about the events I told in that story. It’s a good reminder of God’s protection, and of God’s goodness. And a reminder of our Local Heroes we oftentimes take for granted, the First Responders.

I want to share that column once again. And I want to say, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

“…The other day, my wife and I were busy going about our business around the house.

Lynn was in our granddaughters’ room straightening up the toys and hanging clothes in the closet, and little Kori sat on the bed watching her Nana work.

I was getting things ready for a service to be held that evening at a local nursing home.

Our little dog, Buster, was lying in his usual spot, on the rug at the front door, sound asleep.

Suddenly, the smoke alarms started shrieking, and Lynn started calling out, “I smell smoke!”

We ran from room to room trying to find the source of the smoke that was filling the hallway of our house.

Buster starting whining; and Kori was looking around wondering what that loud blaring noise was.

Lynn opened the door to the laundry room and the smoke billowed out from the dryer.

We found the source of the smoke.

I quickly called 911, and told the operator what was going on. He told me to get everyone out of the house and wait for the fire department.

So, I grabbed Kori and Lynn grabbed Buster and we went out to the front yard.

I heard the sirens in the distance and knew that help was on the way.

So, I traded with Lynn, and she took Kori, and I got Buster and put him on his chain, and then I went back inside to assess the situation.

Sure enough, our dryer was on fire.

When the fire truck pulled up outside, I went out to let the fire-fighters know what was going on.

They hurried into the house and checked out the dryer, and they agreed with me…

The dryer was on fire.

It wasn’t long and the Firefighters had the fire out and they hauled the dryer out of the house and out onto the driveway.

One of the team members started pulling big wads of lint out of the back of the dryer and we realized what had been on fire.

I opened all the doors in the house to start clearing the smoke out, and one of the firemen got a big fan from the fire truck and put it in the open front door.

That thoughtful Supper Hero was kind enough to remove the holiday wreath from the front door and he laid it on a chair inside.

The whole time all of this activity was buzzing around us, Kori was sitting with Lynn with a look of wonderment on her face.

The wailing smoke alarms and firemen in their suits, and the sirens coming down the street thrilled our little grandbaby!

Buster on the other hand was having a panic attack!

I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the nursing home service that evening, so I called one of the men from church and told him what was happening.

Frank assured me that he and his wife, Hazel, would take care of it.

Well, after we thanked our Local Heroes for coming to our aid, and we watched them drive down the street, Lynn and I thought maybe it was time to go look for another dryer.

The old one sat in the driveway, dripping wet, clogged with burned lint, and was now just a piece of Dezotell history.

(And there it sat as a stark reminder of the importance of regularly cleaning the lint out of the dryer hose.)

It happened shortly before the Thanksgiving Holiday. We were so thankful that there was no fire or smoke damage to our house, and that we even had a house to be thankful for.

We were so thankful for all those people who came to our assistance that day.

The 911 operator, who calmly assured me that help was on the way; the fire fighters who quickly got to work when they got to our house and put out the fire and calmed our fears; and to the folks from church who were praying for us and who took over and held a great worship service at the nursing home that evening.

Lynn, Kori, Buster and I are very grateful today. We have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving Season.

God protected us. The firemen came to our aid. And Lynn got a new dryer.

Thank the Lord! Thank the Lord! Thank the Lord!

And thank you Shelbyville Fire Department…..”

What a wonderful reminder of the divine protection of the God who watches over His children.

Back in October of 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that the last Thursday in November would be a day of “National Thanksgiving.”

America was in the midst of a Civil War at that time, and Lincoln still found reason to be grateful to the Almighty God.

The President, with words of comfort and encouragement, proved to be a true, compassionate leader.

Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation began with these words … “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God….

“…The gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.”

As the proclamation was coming to a close, President Lincoln wrote…

“I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

Today in America, even in the midst of these turbulent times, with schisms in the nation and in the churches, even with troubles in our homes and in our communities, we need to remember all the good that God has done for us.

Our God who is rich in mercy has forgiven our sins, and He sheds His love abroad in our hearts.

“Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.