The devastation caused by this disaster: loss of life, separation from family, loss of animals, income, property, and loss of innocence is something I am incapable of handling emotionally and I am not a survivor of this continuing nightmare. It grieves me to think about it so I have substituted prayer and thanksgiving in place of thought. One year later is when I actually saw pictures of the destruction. I provided assistance through United Way Agencies and my church but I didn't care to watch the news reports. I prayed and still do.
WHAT I PRAY
My fervent prayer is that others will not lose faith in God. I pray they will turn to Him if they have not come to know Him. I pray for their souls and strength of mind and body. I pray faith in Him will keep them in perfect peace in the midst of this trial. I pray others will allow His Love to sustain them that they might fight to survive and not give up on Him. I pray those who know and love Him will grow deeper in their faith.
WHY I GIVE THANKS
I am thankful I have a house to maintain; housecleaning chores, roofing repairs, window cleaning, lawn mowing and landscaping, water pressuring the driveway and weeding of flowerbeds to tend. I am thankful I have utilities to pay and clothes to be laundered and dry-cleaned. I give thanks my siblings who live in Florida have not been in harm's way. I am blessed beyond measure and I give thanks. I am careful not to complain, criticize or condemn. "…life for me ain't been no crystal stair1..." but I have had it easy in contrast to these survivors and so many others.
When I do think, I think on all that's good and pleasant in my life. I think of His goodness, grace and mercy. In doing so, I am humbled.
I have opinions about many things but this one thing I know: God reveals His almighty and awesome character to us so we can have an assurance and confidence that only comes from knowing Him. By knowing Him, we know that even in the most darkest, desperate, and discouraging times in our lives, He is up to something good for us all the time.
© 2006 Avis Ward
1Taken from Langston Hughes, "Mother to Son" from Collected Poems (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1994).
Avis E. Ward is a visonary called to unite the personal, spiritual and political through Love. She is an Ambassador of Love, Inspirational Speaker, Event Planner and Certified Seminar Leader. Avis is also a Consultant to Dental Healthcare Professionals in Case Acceptance and Marketing. http://avisward.com/ or Avis Ward
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