God’s Blessings For Your Help in Moore, OK
Recent days have been emotionally exhausting as we have watched the disastrous tornadic events unfold destroying neighborhoods in Moore, OK and in neighboring towns. Our neighborhood, escaped untouched except for the small debris strewn throughout. Our neighbors to the west and directly northeast of us did not. We have friends who have lost their homes and belongings, yet have each other, which is what matters most. Nature is multi-faceted and can be so beautiful, however, it has its ugly side. The people of Moore saw and experienced its ugly side.
The miracle was the number of lives that were spared and the many heroic acts to save a neighbor or a stranger. We grieve for the loss of life. Our hearts are heavy.
My husband who doesn’t cry very easily, said today, “It just makes me want to cry.” My next door neighbor shared how she would have periodic “crying spells.” I cry easily, but just have not been able to. If we are feeling like this, I cannot imagine how our friends and neighbors who have experienced tremendous loss and grief are making it. Many who have been interviewed by national and international media have put it so succinctly: “GOD.”
Getting in and out of our neighborhood was challenging. Many of the streets we normally travel were closed as they gave anyone and everyone access to areas affected by the tornado. So unless you needed to get out, you stayed put. Plus, they were trying to clear debris to make it safe for people to walk around. Today, my husband and I had business out-of-town and while travelling caught glimpses through heavy traffic of the debris fields in surrounding neighborhoods and were speechless. You can see it on television, but it’s not the same until you see it with your own eyes. It truly is mind-boggling.
However, the spirit of God, the spirit of faith, and the spirit of hope was alive and on beautiful display among His people. I found it interesting that one of the national media captured a picture of a Bible that was found among the rubble. It just happened to be open to the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 32 v. 2:
“A man will be as a hiding place from the wind, and a cover from the tempest.”
And, people, charities, and vendors by the hundreds have travelled hundreds of miles to help in many ways. It’s a sea of people as far as you can see. Young, old, men, women, teens, etc. Humanity at its best. As I saw this, I thought to myself, God must be proud of how people are demonstrating the great commandment: “Love thy neighbor.” They are not only in Moore, but have spread out to Newcastle, Bethel Acres, Little Axe, Shawnee, and areas in-between that have been devastated. And, then there are those donating not only time and labor, but others money, food, clothing, and the daily necessities. People are being blessed with rent-free housing, cars, fund-raisers etc. Many others have become resources of information, media telling the story, others networking and making connections to fulfill the myriad of needs. And the churches, local, far and wide, being God’s servants to all. And I must not forget all those prayers. Yes, God has taken note of each one. Thousands upon thousands of prayers spoken on behalf of our communities. It’s more than enough to reinvigorate your faith in America and the international community for the goodness of the people. It’s a beautiful picture: the hands of strangers working side-by-side for the common good of people they don’t know. It’s absolutely God!
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”…and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31-32 NIV
Within a couple of days after the tornado, we had a thunderstorm pass through. And, a local t.v. station captured a picture of a beautiful rainbow that appeared in the sky at sunrise while it was lightning. I believed it was a sign from God, a sign of Hope.
…And provide for those who grieve…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead or mourning, and a garmentof praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3
Our community will rebuild and the transformation will be beautiful. And, I believe many of us will walk a bit closer with our Lord. I wish to thank you on behalf of our community for all that you, our neighbors and fellow Americans have done or are doing, for standing alongside of us in whatever capacity to help those whose lives were adversely affected by the tornado. God ALWAYS blesses the giver. May He bless you and your loved ones for caring and doing.
Please share this “thank you” with those whom you know who have cared for our community. God’s love and blessings to all in Jesus’ name.
Jesus, God, and Me 