Blurred Vision

"Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law." - Proverbs 29:18

There's something special about being able to see. I remember getting my first pair of glasses in the first grade. I was so excited to read all of the posters in my classroom, some of them for the first time. 20/20 vision brings about great clarity and detail. As I got older, my vision got worse due to severe astigmatism, so I wore thick(coke bottle) glasses and eventually expensive contacts. 

I finally decided to get LASIK surgery after I lost my crew in a heavily involved house fire. It was New Year's Day. I got little to no sleep from celebrating the night before, and I was slightly dehydrated from all of the beverages consumed. This made my eyes extremely dry and not ready for my contacts. As I was checking out my airpack, the tones went off, and we were first in to a house fire! There was no time to put on my contacts. On arrival, I stumbled to the front door and kicked it in. I then began pulling slack for the nozzle man. We encountered fire immediately and pushed our way forward. The captain caught up to us and told me to go get a scuttle hole(attic) ladder. I was so blind, I had to be directed to my truck and back. I then attached myself to the wrong crew and was ordered to find my own. I wandered around aimlessly while my crew was looking for me. They called a mayday on my behalf. A month later I had perfect vision thanks to the Eye Center of Texas. Again like the first grade me I was excited to read everything I could- license plates, clocks, billboards.

People who lack a vision for their lives are just like the vision impaired.  They  stumble and fumble their way through life with no real direction, joy, or passion. They constantly wander around and attach themselves to the wrong people who are just as lost. They don't seem to care about anything. They put off making major decisions because they have no assurance. They may even take unnecessary risks because why would it matter? The scriptures say they "cast off restraint," while other translations say they "perish." They die never having truly lived. 

 True vision for our lives comes from walking in God's purpose for our lives. We can find our purpose and abundant life, by reading and obeying the Holy Scriptures. In doing so we come to know God. In knowing and obeying God and His Word, we are "blessed." Could you use some direction, passion, and purpose for your life? You can find it in God and His Word. Be blessed. 

-Sr Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

You Are a Mist

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." - James 4:14

In our line of work, we are extremely familiar with the brevity of life. Unfortunately we have witnessed the death of newborns, 90 year olds, and everything in between. Often times all in one day. 

This week we laid to rest a brother firefighter who seemed to have so much life left. That same night I spent time comforting a mother and father who had just lost 3 young kids. Life is indeed short. Not one of us is promised tomorrow. 

The deaths of loved ones and the young are reminders of our mortality. Death has been undefeated since Day 1 of Human History, and it shows no signs of ending that streak any time soon. Throughout my career, many people have asked, "Am I going to die?" I almost always answered, "Yes. It might not be today, but we are all going to die."

I think we should all take time to reflect on our lives. How we live our lives matters. How we love God, our neighbors, our families, and even our enemies matters. Every conversation had and every memory made could be our last. Make each moment this side of heaven count. Say, "I love you" and "I'm sorry." Show it. Mean it. Live at peace with everyone and make your peace with God with whom we will all stand face to face.

-Captain Bobby Delgado, HFD Chaplain