A family receives support from school and their community after losing their house in a fire. Sometimes, when life feels impossibly heavy, God shows us His strength in those around us. For Britney Mayton, and her daughters, including O’Riya, it was their Ettrick Elementary School community who filled the gaps after their home went up in flames. Who knew an elementary school would come to the rescue?
Brittney and O’Riya have been deeply rooted in their school for years. O’Riya has a heart for serving others, and she loves being a part of the school. She leads clubs, she’s on the dance team, and she even won the school’s spelling bee contest. But when O’Riya was left with nothing but the clothes on her back, their school family stepped in.
RELATED: Firefighter Saved Her from a Fire Decades Ago, and Now They're Reunited As She Saves His Life
The principal, Dr. Randi Smith, said, “We have to do something right away and we have to fill the gaps to take some of the stress off the family because that’s what they would do for us.”
When a community hears of a devastating loss and its first thought is to come to the rescue, you know it’s a community full of love, compassion, and camaraderie. Within hours of the fire, the family received a train of meals, Target gift cards, and so much more to begin replacing things they lost, to put food in their bellies, and clothes on their backs.
Can you imagine what this kind of generosity did for their hearts? It’s incredible to be shown this kind of compassion in a time of need. Kaitlynn Stephenson, a teacher in training and Britney Mayton’s best friend, said it best. She recalled, “Saturday evening, I looked at her and said ‘Your community has got your back. As much as you do for the Ettrick community, they’re going to take care of you.'"
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 5 Boys and Their Father Were Saved By Good Samaritan After Explosion
Let this remind us all: when we face overwhelming loss, God often sends His help through the hands and hearts of those around us. This is the beauty of community—how God works through others to provide in moments of deep need.
Galatians 6:2 "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."
h/t: WTVR CBS 6
Photo Credit: YouTube/WTVR CBS 6