If You Lose Everything, Will You Still Follow Me?

On Holy Wednesday evening, I was listening to an audiobook by one of my favorite authors. In the last chapter I heard, he reflected on Jesus’ conversation with the rich young man in the Gospel of Mark—when Jesus said, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

Toward the end of that chapter, I sensed God asking me in my heart, “If you lose everything, will you still follow me?” I knew my answer was yes.

The next morning, what I thought was a rhetorical question became very real.

Sherry and I usually go to the gym around 10:30 a.m., but that morning she had an 8:30 appointment—which felt very early for me. She said she would leave at 8:15, and I told her that if I could get ready in time, I would go with her. I managed to get dressed and ready, only to find that she had already left at 8:00. I felt a bit disappointed and went back to my room.

Around 8:50 a.m., the fire alarm went off throughout the house. We had just experienced a false alarm the previous week when an iron produced smoke, so I knew the system worked well—but this time, something felt different. I moved quickly to find the source.

Jeanne was in the basement, and we reached the living room almost at the same time. There, we saw a portable neck and back massager—plugged in and charging—on fire on the couch. Jeanne immediately grabbed it and threw it outside. The fire on the couch looked manageable, so I grabbed a nearby wool blanket and tried to smother it. It seemed to work briefly.

Jeanne told me to get the fire extinguisher. I ran to where I thought it was, but couldn’t find it. I returned to the couch and tried again with the blanket while she kept searching. When she found the extinguisher, she handed it to me—but I couldn’t get it to work. By then, the smoke inside the house was getting thick, so I stepped outside briefly to figure it out. I finally pulled the pin.

When I went back in, the fire had already reached the foam inside the sofa. It spread quickly. Within moments, the house turned pitch black. I realized there was no way I could fight it anymore. I shouted several times for Jeanne to get out. When I didn’t hear a response, I made the decision to leave.

I ran out the back door. It was drizzling, and I slipped and fell. I wasn’t sure if I had my phone, but thankfully I did. I called 911 at 8:57 a.m. Still not knowing where Jeanne was, I ran to the front of the house and saw her speaking with a neighbor. A police car had just arrived.

At 8:59 a.m., I called Sherry to tell her the house was on fire, but that Jeanne and I were safe. She asked about our dog, Sophie. That was when I realized Sophie was still inside. I wanted to run back in—or at least open the door—but I was stopped. There was nothing I could do. I was moved farther down the road as the smoke thickened.

By the time the firefighters arrived, the fire had already reached the roof at the front of the house, though it had started in the middle. I later learned that the wind that day caused it to spread quickly, and multiple fire departments had to respond to keep it from reaching nearby homes. When Sherry arrived at 9:24 a.m., half the house was already gone. Within an hour, the entire first floor and attic had burned.

Jeanne and I were taken to the ER. Her hair was scorched, and both of her ears had partial burns. I had first-degree burns on my face, scalp, and right hand. My burns are healing well, and I’m doing okay. Brothers and sisters from Word of Life came right away and helped us with what we needed, including a place to stay.

Looking back, I can see how God was with us through everything.

Because I had planned to leave at 8:15, I had my wallet with me—containing my newly renewed driver’s license, my immigration ID, cash, and the credit cards I use most. I also had a debit card I don’t usually carry, my car key, and I was already dressed to go out.

It also helped that Sherry had already left, which meant we still had one car. Jeanne’s car was trapped in the garage.

Later, we learned that the building inspector who entered our home after the fire was out was a brother from the community. He told us the firefighters said the fire moved very fast—and that if we had stayed even a minute longer, we likely would not have made it out. The moment I stopped trying to fight the fire and chose to leave—that decision was a miracle that saved my life.

We were able to retrieve some important documents afterward, but most of our belongings were either burned or damaged by smoke and water. What broke our hearts most was losing Sophie. That is what we grieved deeply. Everything else can be replaced. She cannot. In a way we do not fully understand, she gave her life in that moment. We remain thankful for the love she gave us.

It was a traumatic experience, but I am at peace. We lost almost everything—but we still have what matters: our lives, each other, and Jesus. I meant what I said that night. Even if I lose everything, I will still follow Him.

There are many decisions ahead and much to rebuild. But we’re okay and taking things one day at a time. This was not the Holy Week we had planned, but we believe in the power of the Easter victory of Jesus.

Thank you for your support and prayers. We are overwhelmed by the love we are receiving.