In our own lifetime, if we're lucky, and I do mean "lucky", we will experience at least one natural disaster ... a flood, tornado, hurricane, fire, earthquake, or such. You might think it odd that I suggest you would be "lucky" to experience such an event. While I certainly would not wish anyone any real or significant harm in such a catastrophe, I can also understand how going through such an ordeal would probably allow us to learn some valuable insights because of it.

Although day to day we might see our lives highly eventful, in the bigger picture we're not often faced with a real test of our physical or emotional strength. Take the recent stories coming from Oklahoma when multiple killer tornadoes devastated so many homes, businesses and lives. Those who were very lucky fled to the safety of their storm cellars to escape the fury of the storms. Others not so lucky did everything this world tells them to do for optimal safety under the circumstances -- go to a small enclosed central room, maybe lie in the bathrub, cover with a quilt, mattress or other protective covering to limit exposure to flying debris, and hold on to your loved ones as tightly as you can. Many did all of those things and still lost everything they owned. Some even lost their loved ones in the violent fury of the storm; some lost their own lives.

There was indescribable destruction in Oklahoma that morning. Words cannot begin to describe what they must have seen and experienced. But homes can be rebuilt, furniture replaced, cars repaired. Loved ones will be missed dearly, but memories will keep them alive long after they're gone from our presence.

A lot of physical destruction was done that day, a lot of lives lost; but one thing lived on ...love, love for families, for friends, for neighbors. Even an out-pouring of loving gestures from strangers abounded in Oklahoma City. They lost a lot, but they gained the greatest gift. The God I believe in was there when the storm released its fury on humanity in Oklahoma City; He loved everyone that day, not just the ones who loved Him. There was no condition on His love; God just loved. What better lesson can we learn from this tragedy?

Even when our trials are the hardest they can be, we're not alone. There are family, neighbors, friends, even strangers who care and who are there to help. The devastation to our lives may seem catastrophic to us, but we can survive; it will be hard, but we must pick up and rebuild.

And most importantly, love truly does conquer all, even tornadoes in Oklahoma City. Love will always win out.

~~ Maggie ~~
© 1998



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