Storms Touch Each of Us Differently

Storms.  Much is anticipated when a storm's approach is announced.  Much is feared and geared up for when imminent destruction is proclaimed.  We braced for the worst, at least as far as we could perceive.  We hunkered down.  Yet deep inside was a strange absence of the anxiety we thought would invade our home.  (Which was a huge relief in light of the other storms life has been throwing at us recently.)

The winds came.  The rains fell.  The lights flickered.  But here there was no havoc here.  Other than a few leaves gracing our back yard, the only "limb" down was an annoying dead branch for which we have long hoped for it's felling.  In a way, this storm was a blessing for us--needed pruning and family time.  For us it was a five day weekend, a strange sort of holiday (a friend in Florida announced their experience as a "hurrication")--a luxury afforded only to those who have not experienced a direct hit.  But for others it was a nightmare.

Storms touch each of us differently.  While our house and family were unscathed through Sandy's historical rampage of the Eastern seaboard, many friends and others were hugely impacted by "her" force.  Our children marveled at the photos shared on social networking sites and newscasts.  Gratitude settled deep in our hearts as we heard stories ranging from hours of lights out to total destruction of property and loss of life.  But compassion emerged too.  

Our children began to recognize the needs of others in all of this, even offered their small savings accounts as aid to those in need--coffers that had been committed numerous times already, far exceeding their accumulated value.  As adults who have weathered storms, awe and even horror struck our heart strings.  Our initial relief and celebration gave way to compassion as we imagined ourselves in some of those scenes, felt the fear and pain of their stories.  Others were so terrible that we couldn't even begin to imagine what they were going through.

In deed, storms effect each of us differently.  Yet in the end, we are all touched by them.  Whether at ground zero or on the fringes of Sandy, may we all have the grace and wisdom to know how to respond; may we all have the eyes to see what God is doing.  And may our faith find the way to express itself in love for those in need.