Alarming

A few years ago a family celebration required a drive to the other side of the state. My husband, Steve, and I took a few days off, visited a couple of attractions, and stayed over in hotels. One night, just before midnight, a blaring alarm sounded along with a flashing strobe light. After having a full day, we had been sleeping solidly.

It took a few seconds to realize it was a fire alarm.

Steve called the front desk, thinking the issue was in our room. I fumbled for my cell phone and purse as Steve repeated the word: “Evacuate?” Apparently when the alarm goes off in one room, the entire hotel is alerted. In addition, the elevators lock, preventing people from using them. Thankfully we were only on the second floor, so there was no problem using the stairs. When we reached the lobby, the hotel staff were trying to figure out the cause of the alarm. They were simultaneously on the phone and fielding questions from barefoot guests. Each time they reset the alarm, it would just start all over again.

The fire department had been called but had not arrived.

The staff assured us that if they could not pinpoint the problem, there was likely a malfunction in the system. Steve and I went back to bed.

In the morning we learned that a microwave from the second floor was now lying on the hotel lawn. I don’t know whether the microwave malfunctioned or someone simply burned a bag of popcorn. One takeaway from this experience was that I need to keep the essentials together in case there is an actual emergency.

This could work at home as well. We took too long to leave our room and were among the last to reach the lobby. If there had been a fire, I would have been barefoot in my nightgown until I could buy an outfit. At least I had my purse, my phone, and my life. The Bible tells us we need to be ready always. “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked” (Revelation 16:15, ESV). We know Jesus is coming soon. Let us get ready, stay awake, and watch for the signs. Can you hear the alarm sounding?

Ann Trout