This evening we took a few minutes and toured some of devastation from the tornado that ripped through Joplin on 22 May 2011.
I can sum it all up in one word: sobering.
Simply sobering.
As we drove through the neighborhood around St. John’s Hospital and saw areas where the bulldozers had already been and areas where they had not yet been, my heart went out to those who were impacted by this violent event.
At one point I was really hit by a sign in a yard (I have a picture, but will need to update this post later and add it). The sign read: “Richardson. All ok. Donation welcome.”
All ok.
Donation welcome.
That pretty well says it all.
While, many were not “all ok” (150+ lost their lives and many many more were injured), to find a sign of hope in a wasteland of devastation is what matters.
Live is slowly moving on. People will never forget it, but you can’t stop everything to dwell on. At some point, you have to say “we’re all ok” and you move on.
Yet, for now, needs still exist. In major ways. Money is still needed. Clothes are needed. Food is needed. So many needs.
Stop and a say a quick prayer for Joplin. It’s truly mind-numbing to see, but even more so to try to place oneself in that position. To try to understand the thoughts, fears, and concerns of those impacted.
They need our prayers.
As we drove back to the house, I thought about the story of Jesus as he slept in the boat during the storm. The disciples are freaked out. Jesus slept.
When they finally had woken Him up, Jesus first rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. He then calmed the storm.
In your moment of storm, how do you respond? Panic? Fear? Faith?
If Jesus was sleeping in your boat during your storm, how would you respond?
There He is snoring,
There you are…
Faith.
Please, remember Joplin in your prayers. Your prayers will help to strengthen their faith.
And stronger faith, makes for more peaceful storms.
i need to remember God is always in my boat-thanks for the reminder!