This Advent season has seen a terrible blow to many across the supper south to lower Midwest. As a result of the tornadoes – and there were at least 100 tornado warnings – on December 10—11 – more than 100 died. We don’t usually think of tornadoes as coming in December.
As a people of faith we are called to provide assistance and care to those who have lost so much, including persons they loved. There are many ways to donate to relief, for example, the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, Americares, the Salvation Army, among others.
If you have questions about the organization you see, go to the Charity Navigator which will tell you whether it is legit and what percentage of its money actually goes to help survivors. We in the Northeast may be still recovering from Hurricane Ida, but we should put aside that extra gift and help those affected by these terrible storms.
Prayer for the Day
God beyond all comprehension,
Pour out your mercy upon us at this time;
Open our eyes blind to the world around us,
And our ears deaf to the cry of storm survivors.
May your Spirit be a window to all around us
Breathing your power and your strength on us
In the name of him who shared your spirit with us
Even Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen
Thoughts for the Day
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)
The test of a civilization is how it cares for its helpless members
Perl S. Buck, American novelist (1892-1973)
The sorrow of survivors cries out to us. Their despair speaks to us and is reflected in the words of the Psalmist.
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.
Psalm 22: 1-2