Comfort During The Storm

My heart was saddened this morning when a co-worker shared that her 7 year old daughter didn’t want to go to school this morning, because she was, ‘afraid her school would be blown away.’ Understandably, her mind was fearful from what she had seen on television regarding the status of a little town of 56,000 people in Oklahoma. On Monday, a devastating tornado slashed through approximately a two –mile width; 22 mile length of Moore, Oklahoma, devastating everything in its path.

(That is except for the resilient hope of the American people and the eternal Hope of the Christian – the power to look to God for comfort during our storms). The storm savaged the town of Moore in 40 minutes. In less than an hour – homes were lost, people died, schools were leveled, cars were thrown like toothpicks, and hospitals took on the persona of bombing victims. It was described by Todd Lamb, Oklahoma's lieutenant governor, as like a "two-mile wide lawnmower blade going through the community", while Mary Fallin, the state's governor, said after an aerial tour: "There's just sticks and bricks basically."

A number of relief organizations are responding to the disaster in Moore, Oklahoma. The web reports, "The general public can help with recovery efforts through organizations such as American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Those organizations, among others, are already on site helping families with immediate needs and supporting the first responders." The American Red Cross has opened shelters in Moore, a suburb of Oklahoma City. It has deployed emergency reponse vehicles, water, and hot meals for both survivors and responders. To support the relief efforts, the Red Cross is accepting online donations. People can send the text message “REDCROSS” to 90999 to immediately donate $10, or they can call 800-REDCROSS. The Salvation Army has also sent disaster response teams to Moore, including mobile feeding unites. It is accepting online donations, and it also has a text-message donation option: text “STORM” to 80888. Donate via phone by calling 800-SALARMY. (Please keep in mind that NEITHER organization solicits for donations over the telephone! Do not give out any personal information on the telephone – unfortunately in critical times like these, there are vultures ready to prey on the weak. Be on alert for scams! I've basically copied and pasted basic info for your personal research.)

It is difficult to see sorrowful things happen. It is also hard to understand them sometimes. I know one thing to be true, contrary to what I heard a news reporter say. He said, "Mother Nature was made at us, and she took her anger out on Moore, Oklahoma." That isn’t true. First of all, I understand the “cute terms” and things we use to describe an Almighty God, but it is God who controls the winds and the waves. The use of the term “Mother Nature” hurts me – because it minimizes the Creator of the universe. The giver of Life! While we cannot understand these devastating events, I do know an Almighty God is there for us – with open arms. He will be our comfort during the storm – literally.

Cornerstones of Strength I wish to share:

When assailed by afflictions – The Christian finds liberty

When forced with sorrow – The Christian knows mercy

Through people’s hate – The Christian discovers love

Through cruel adversity – The Christian understands grace

When the storms come – The Christian finds shelter in His arms

Look UP my friends!