"Lord, how can I be a good steward of my loss?" These words echoed in Jerry's mind as he cleaned up debris from a fire which destroyed his shop, his equipment and his livelihood as a manufacturer of high-end furniture.

Setbacks are not new to Jerry and his family. Several years ago, he experienced bankruptcy when the markets for his custom made furniture business dried up after the events of 9/11. In 1996, the Weber's youngest son Sam was born with a serious pancreatic problem and needed 24-hour care. In order to provide the needed care, Jerry and his wife Lila quit work and relied on welfare to get them through. In 2004, Lila went on stress leave from her social work position when she suffered a serious whiplash in a car accident. "The grace that we received over the past years was more significant than the losses experienced," reflects Jerry. In retrospect it was all part of "God's refining fire!"

The fire on September 30, 2004, happened just as he was rebuilding clientele and the business and became yet another setback threatening the livelihood of the family. In spite of good intentions, he had neglected to put insurance coverage on the business and the loss of $30,000 worth of equipment and furniture in progress - threatened another round of want and difficulty for the family of five. We can't help thinking why our life was so much on display all the time," mused Jerry.

When the tragedy struck there was a groundswell of caring support from church and community. Mutual Aid Ministries, the mutual aid arm of Mennonite Aid Union and MAX Canada Insurance Company, worked with the Weber's congregation, Glencairn Mennonite Brethren in Kitchener to seek collaborative financial, emotional and spiritual aid. This collaboration resulted in a $5,000 donation from Mutual Aid Ministries and then more than matched by the unbelievable generosity of the congregation. More support came from two mothers in their local neighbourhood who started a trust fund that raised about $2,500 for the family. The school where their oldest son Josiah attends, held several fundraising events and raised more than $1,300. But out of all this community support and outreach, it was a human interest story about the family in the Kitchener Record that provided the greatest miracle for Jerry.

A Christian business man from a nearby community who rarely reads the Record just happened to buy the paper that day and saw the story. He called Jerry on a Sunday afternoon and confided that he felt compelled to call him and invite him to work for his company building stairs and railings. "Mr. Huffman offered me a job, generosity and love all at once. He's become like a brother to me," confides Jerry who began working for him in November of 2004. Jerry continues his employment there while his passion for furniture building has been relegated to a small but insured shop behind their Kitchener home.

"We're constantly being prepared and developed for what God wants of us," says Jerry. The morning of the September fire, Jerry had met with a friend who had challenged him to acknowledge his anger for events of past years. It was with this challenge fresh on his mind that he received word of the enormous and life-changing loss of his shop and equipment on his parents' farm near Petersburg. His reflective response to the question of how to be a good steward of his loss? "To receive it gladly and not with shame or resignation," Jerry commented.

Part of God's grace for Jerry and family has been the encouragement from other people who have experienced tough times. It is through their grace that God ministers. In spite of difficulties, setbacks and tragedies, Jerry remains optimistic and positive. Jerry and his family truly model the promise the Apostle Paul received from God after all his setbacks. "My grace is sufficient for you,. (2 Cor. 12:9)". This promise is particularly true and powerful when surrounded by a loving and caring community.