dear emily,
a week ago our state faced the military grade assault of an F-5 tornado. the
loss of life, possessions of life, and way of life can not be measured. those
who endured the battle will count their days as BT and AT, before and after
tornado.
our children have a friend who is a firefighter and first responder. he didn't
come home for five days and will most likely suffer from the same post
traumatic stress as our finest marines.
the question, "why?" has been fired at the heavens like puny artillery.
i don't deny anyone the right to "why?" and have felt it bubbling up in my
own heart, as well. the response i keep hearing is, "why not?"
so stark, harsh, and cruel, that.
this earth is a hostile place, doling out earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes,
diseases, war, and tornadoes. Jesus spoke about a tower that fell on 18
men, admonishing us to be greatful that it did not fall on us.
"we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in
despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
2 corinthians 4: 8,9
love,
lea
22 comments:
The earth is indeed a hostile place-I think we forget that.
I am relieved to read that you are all well; I will continue to pray for everyone from the communities who were effected by this terrible event.
Take care.
Best wishes from Australia.
Natasha in Oz
It does sound cold. It does sound uncaring. Indeed, why not? What kind of God would only allow bad to happen to unbelievers? It is amazing to see the contrast when asking people how they fared.
The world indeed does offer many sufferings and trials. Where would we be without pour faith to sustain and console us?
Tornadoes are horrible acts of nature. I hope this will be the last one this season!
PS: Thank you for your kind words on the loss of our cat, Bo. He was the best kitty and we miss him so much. He will always live on in our heart!
I was musing on this very thought today as I was out sweeping leaves in the garden. After my post of this weekend I was thinking how being a Christian gives us a guiding light in difficult situations ... I was wondering how people without that light cope.
And there you have it... 'why not?'... oh how our earthly minded minds want the 'why' of things. I love that He put the 'now we see through a glass darkly' verse in there, so many times I must bow to His wisdom, not my own.
Glad you guys did not get that one, praying for all who did.
It broke my heart to see the devastation in Oklahoma. I find myself breaking down all the time lately with horrific news from around our earth. I find myself praying harder to God as time moves forward and thanking Him for His love.
yes.
Lea, life is, quite often, so very difficult to understand but I do know I'm an alien here...an old soul living in a new body for oh so short a time. Then...eternity when the questions won't matter because we'll have all the answers we'll ever need.
I am so grateful you and yours are well; thank God for that blessing.
Amen..we have been praying for your state, as well as sending aid. Our hearts go out to all. Granbury had it also, not as bad, but it has touched our state also. I am glad I believe that God is still on the throne.
Praying for all those affected. It is such a heartbreaking story.
I confess that I asked why...some of the most godly people on earth live in Oklahoma. I think the response we see from Oklahomans in the face of incredibly difficult times will answer some of those questions...as a witness. Love to you all and prayers for recovery and restoration.
This is not a comment on your blog, just on you! You make me laugh out loud! I loved your comment today... :)
What a beautiful answer to a horrific tornado. So glad you are okay.
So good to get caught up. I was thinking of your dear Sunday Lane this past weekend when, once again, I thought I heard her on the radio.
Thank you for always sharing an encouraging word :-)
~Cinnamon
A beautiful post on a horrific event. I didn't realize where you live, so glad you are safe. Up here, we can't even begin to imagine the scope of those events. We think we can, but the true impact of what took place is lost on us not actually living through it.
And prayers for your firefighter friend. I think my own husband has gone through PTSD-like symptoms many different occasions from various calls he has responded too. In our experience, it takes a long while to work through. Hopefully they will provide wonderful counseling and services to the community.
As I am preparing for a graduation open house this week, it seems as if everything that can go wrong, is. I keep thinking to myself, "These are such first world problems you are facing. Suck it up and stop whining." I have a lot to be thankful for.
Kate
PS-It didn't occur to me that everyone out there can't read my mind. What is coming is my peonies. I can't wait for their sweet blooms!
Prayers are with you and all who have suffered through the disaster out there. We never know "why", if there even is one. The better question is "What now?" - how to help now, how to minimize future loss.
Precious & powerful! God truly does allow the sun to rise/set on the just & the unjust alike.
Thank God He has helped us to understand why this is not our home.
Blessings,
Kathleen
Thank you for your sweet comments you left me my friend.
Life is so hard at times....but we can always be hopeful in these times...God is good. xoxo
I hope you all are okay...OK is staying in our hearts, on our radios as we listen to reports and in our prayers for protection and healing...so, so sorry!!!
janette: we're fine, thanks! grateful for
your prayers.
such truth always in the answer, why not? ...not one we like to hear often..
hugs to you my friend <3
love,
bree
I am thankful you are safe, Lea. I guess I never really knew where you lived. I don't personally believe that God causes natural disasters. Every terrible thing like this that happens is a result of our living in a fallen sin-invested world. God planned only good for His creation. Satan is ruler in this wicked world and that's why we see, and will continue to see, things like tornadoes, hurricanes, crime, hate, etc., etc. We are in this world but not of it, but still subject to the events that are a result of sin.
No matter how much we puny humans think we can control our world, our destinies...the weather serves as a constant reminder of our limits, and such devastation wrought by the storms slamming your state and causing me to remember the same things you expressed. "Why not?"
BTW, I have had terrible storms send 3 towering trees through my roof, causing great destruction here, so I know it will truly be a long road to recovery , and my husband & I still think of our time here as "before the storms" and now.
It still amazes me that a tornado can pick a house up and spin it into smithereens...it is amazing there was not more loss of life. Thank-you for the verse.
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