“Acts of God”

    Once again, we’re astonished to be turning another page over on the calendar.  Weatherwise, we’re kind of staggering after a month of much rain and intermittent violent storms.  Locally, the damage is limited – unless the tree that fell landed on your house.  But there are folks out in the Midwest facing life-changing recoveries from vicious tornados and devastating floods.  Keep them in prayer.
    Events such as these – insurance companies call them “acts of God”, although that doesn’t seem to be an appropriate placement of blame – present a lot of challenges to those affected.  Most assuredly, if your home has, in a matter of minutes, suddenly become a pile of battered building materials, the effect is overwhelming.  If lives have been lost, it’s even more devastating.  It is not human nature to live our daily lives prepared to start over from scratch on a moment’s notice.  For those trapped in floods, it’s devastation in slow motion.  One can only imagine the torture of watching water rise, and rise, and rise; and then have to wait, and wait, and wait, while the waters recede.                                                                  The challenges are huge.  On the other hand, the opportunities are vast.  We are seeing folks coming to help those affected with all the things needed to help in recovery – food, clothing, shelters, shovels, and chain saws.  The multitude of ways in which we see God at work are mind-boggling.  We see those who have lost everything able to smile and count their blessings.  We see folks who have little to offer materially pitching in with their energy and skills.  We see people whose income is limited donating what they can.  And we see a nation in prayer for encouragement.  
    No, these natural disasters are not acts of God.  But, through them, we see God’s response.  Victims showing courage, patience and endurance.  Neighbors showing compassion, help and generosity.  Let’s praise the Lord who gives strength and faith to all of us as we face a new month of unknowns.                                                                                                                                                                                  Virginia                                                                                                                                                                                                 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord  in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.              Psalm 27:13-14