When the Gatlinburg wildfires swept through the Great Smoky Mountains in November, they took with them hundreds of homes and structures as well as 14 lives. Three of those lives were the women in Michael Reed’s life—his wife and two daughters.
Michael Reed’s story has been widely covered by news stations across America. Stuck in traffic, he and his teenage son, Nicholas, were desperately trying to get home when the wildfires spread quickly toward where they live.
As the flames quickly approached the house, Michael’s wife, Constance, and their two daughters, Chloe and Lily, had no choice but to flee.
It was unclear at first where Constance, Chloe and Lily had ended up, and whether or not they had made it out alive. Michael desperately prayed, along with people from all over, that the girls would be found safe and unharmed. Michael’s worst nightmare became a tragic reality a few days later when all three of their bodies were discovered.
Michael Reed
It’s not that the prayers didn’t work, that we are sure of. Because what Michael did next is proof that God is at work.
When news broke that two teens have been accused of starting the deadly fire that stole everything from Michael, the husband and father knew that there was something he wanted to say to them.
He penned an open letter to Facebook:
“To the 2 teenagers who started the wildfires…
People stop me on the streets every day and ask me the same question:
‘What can we do for you?’
My answer has been the same every time:
‘Love those closest to you a little stronger. Hold them a little tighter. Don’t take a single moment for granted.’
As I learned of your arrests last week I sat in silence for a very long time. You may be too young to understand this, but even through this tragedy I can feel God with me and my son. I have felt my wife and daughters touch me from Heaven. I have seen them give me signs that they are looking down on us. They are happy. They are at peace. They are together.
As humans, it is sometimes hard to show grace. We hold grudges. We stay angry. We point the finger and feel we have to lay the blame somewhere. It’s human nature and completely understandable.
But I did not raise my children to live with hate.
I did not teach my girls or my son to point the finger at others. John 8:7 says, ‘Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.’
Forgiveness isn’t for you. It is for me. It is for my son. It is for Constance, Chloe and Lily. It is for this community who all lost so much in this tragedy.
I, as well as countless others, have been changed forever because of your actions. It is up to you to seek God’s forgiveness. I hope someday you can seek it and be at peace.
I forgive you. My son forgives you. My wife and beautiful girls forgive you. We know you didn’t mean for this to happen. We know you would take it all back if you could.
We will pray for you. Every day. We will pray for your parents and your family members. Every day. We will pray for your peace. We will show you grace. Why? Because that’s what Jesus would do.
Faith…Hope…Love…
The greatest of these is Love.”
His words to the teens are an unbelievable testament to the power of prayer.
Michael Reed
Michael’s faith is the foundation he’s leaning on to help he and Nick heal from this unimaginable tragedy, and God has surrounded him in a peace and comfort that only He can provide. The grace and forgiveness he’s able to exercise during this time of completely indescribable pain and heartache is truly God at work.
Join us in our continued prayers for Michael and Nicholas, as well as the two teens who have been accused of starting the wildfire.
