Thought for the Day 7/2/2021

 Friday Tale - Great Value in Disaster

Thomas Edison's laboratory was virtually destroyed by fire in December, 1914. Although the damage exceeded $2 million, the buildings were only insured for $238,000 because they were made of concrete and thought to be fireproof. Much of Edison's life's work went up in spectacular flames that December night.

        At the height of the fire, Edison's 24-year old son, Charles, frantically searched for his father among the smoke and debris. He finally found him, calmly watching the scene, his face glowing in the reflection, his white hair blowing in the wind.

          "My heart ached for him," said Charles. "He was 67 - no longer a young man - and everything was going up in flames. When he saw me, he shouted, "Charles, where's your mother?" When I told him I didn't know, he said, "Find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives."

          The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew."

           Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver his first phonograph.

~ the Sower's Seeds

In that day, the King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;

You will fear disaster no more.
He will exult over you with joy,
He will be quiet in His love,
He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.
~ Zephaniah 13:15, 17