Storms and sustenance

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. - Psalm 55v22

At the moment we are away in Huntsville, Alabama. A week ago today we awoke to the weather alert radio screaming and weather sirens howling. Starting about 5.30 in the morning a series of massive storms hit this part of the country. High winds, heavy rain, and hail hit in wave after wave. Mid-morning the tornadoes started. After a brief reprieve things turned ugly in this part of the state as a whole series of massive tornadoes hit the region.. Stores and shops were destroyed, homes damaged or wiped out, and people killed and injured. It was a day of incredible tragedy and a week later things are just getting back up and running.

One of the things destroyed was the connection to the power source for virtually all of North Alabama. All of the connector feeds to the nuclear plant which provides power were cut. The massive towers which carry electricity we twisted like toys. As a result virtually no one in the northern half of the state had electricity. While a minor part of the overall picture the source that most people rely on for their daily sustenance was cut off. Those fortunate to still be alive or have their homes had to find an alternate source of sustenance as the days went by. The Red Cross and other agencies, including a massive army of volunteers stepped up to provide food, clothing, water, and other necessities to those most affected. Those of us who only lost power soon found ways to sustain ourselves until the crisis was over.

The worst is past. This series of storms has gone and left death and destruction in its wake. People are picking up the pieces and moving on. They mourn the loss of loved ones who were taken, but realise that we have to get on with life.

While many will never have to face this type of natural disaster, we all face times of storminess in our lives. At times it seems almost like last Wednesday when the tornado sirens just kept sounding. I remember thinking, several times, 'Oh no, not another one,' and yet they just kept coming. Life can be that way sometimes.

In those stormy times we may wonder how we are going to get through it. I walked through one of the most affected areas last week and wondered, 'what are these poor people going to do?' I have been in places of my life when the storms have hit and wondered the same thing. How do we get through our times of spiritual or emotional storms?

Praise God for the amazing good will of the volunteers, the emergency services, the churches, the Red Cross, and so many others who have stepped up to the plate to provide sustenance for those most affected. Praise Him even more that He will be our sustenance in the storms of our life. People have had to put their lives in the hands of others to take care of them. They have had to 'cast their burdens' on the good will of friends, family, neighbours, and even strangers. I thank God that in my own personal storms we calls on me to cast my burdens on His and rely on Him for sustenance.

If you are reading this during this time, please pray for those without homes and businesses, for those injured by the storms, for those out working to clean up the mess, for those who are still missing. Over 350 people died last week, These are mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, sons and daughters, and other family relations. Please pray for the families of these folks as they come to grips with this terrible loss.