It is accurately and rightfully said that “First responders run toward the danger.” Firefighters, police, and rescue workers run into the danger for the sake of others, again and again.

Sometimes the outcome is tragic!

However, there are other common, ordinary, and little-known people who did not choose to be first responders who also run into the danger for the sake of others. They are known by the terms — “mom” and “dad,” and they do it for the sake of those they love the most, again and again!

Sometimes the outcome is tragic, like it was during an early morning fire in Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC.

James & Lillie MacFarland lived in the small town of Woodbridge, Virginia. Like many others, James had prepared the family trailer for winter. He had wrapped the metal pipes with heat tape to prevent them from freezing. While the family was sleeping, the fire broke out! Apparently, the heat tape wrappings had set a single plastic shut-off valve overheated and set it on fire.

James & Lillie ran to the bedroom of their two boys, Adam & Benjamin, but they could not get the door to open, so they scrambled outside to break through the outside window of that bedroom. They were able to smash through the window but to no avail. They tried to climb in but could not!

The firefighters quickly arrived at the Elm Farm Trailer Park and began battling the fire. Neighbors had restrained James & Lillie from running back into the trailer.

However, Lillie broke loose, running towards the door, crying and screaming — “My babies are in there!”

A neighbor stated . . . . .

“When she went back through that door, she had pretty much sealed her fate”. . . . . Fire was around the door when she went in.”

Lillie had made her way to their bedroom door. She was found dead outside of that stubborn door that would not open!

Adam and Ben were likely overcome by the toxic fumes early on.

One of the neighbors of that small town was quoted by a reporter on the scene . . . . .

“I have heard it said that a mother will go through fire for her children, and that’s what she did.”

Few people know about a small-town mother named Lillie Tompkins, a school bus driver, who ran into danger for the love of her children.

I think it is fair to say that mothers have a unique connection to every and each child they carry to and through birth. That connection puts them alongside of life’s first responders. Moms are well-known for running toward imminent danger and disregarding their own lives!

Only one other person stands in front of all first responders and such moms as Lillie. No man took His life, for He could have called 1000 angels! He willingly died for the sake of others! We know His name so very well — J-E-S-U-S.

When He came into the world, He knew where the road was leading — to His rejection and death at the hands of those He came to rescue. He would bear eternal punishment for every man who called upon Him.

If your eyes teared up when you read about Lillie, Adam, & Ben, then hold onto the thoughts that moved your heart and remember . . . .

In loving-kindness Jesus came
My soul in mercy to reclaim,
And from the depths of sin and shame
Through grace He lifted me.

From sinking sand He lifted me,
With tender hand He lifted me,
From shades of night to plains of light,
Oh, praise His name, He lifted me!

If you have never called upon Him, personally, to be your Saviour, simply respond to . . . .

Who He Is – He is God’s only Son.

What He Has Done – He died on Calvary for the forgiveness of our sins.

Simply pray . . . .

“Father, I know that Jesus is your Son and that He died for my sins. Right now, I want to call on Him as my Saviour. Today, I want to recognize Him as my only hope of the resurrection unto eternal life with you, my Creator.”

Jesus said unto her (Martha – Lazarus’ sister), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Believest thou this?

Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.