So much has happened over the past few days!!!  3 nights ago, a lot of people lost their homes.  3 nights ago, several people lost their lives.  3 nights ago, so many families were left wondering, “why?”. I was on my way home from work, that night….by myself…to get some super secret presents home before my husband got home with the kids.  We tried to leave work early enough, that night, to get home before the worst of it came through.  I was more worried, though, about the staff that lived north of me.  So, once it was about 45 minutes away from them, I decided it was time to go.  Everyone left.  I turned my radio on to a public broadcasting network, on my way home, while I called my husband and mom to see if they could keep me updated as I was headed an hour south of my office.  I was told that I should probably stop somewhere and wait, or head back north.  I’m stubborn.  I kept on keepin’ on!  Until eventually, when the station gave me a tracking alert that lead me to believe it was going to go to my house.  I stopped, texted my sister, then headed to her power-less house northeast of mine!

The tornado that had been confirmed as have had touched down, on many towns that were close to me, shifted a bit.  My house was unharmed.  I was thankful.  However, it was still close….I went home, December 23rd, and hid the presents I had aimed to hide.  My husband, and the kids, came home soon after.  We were good!  Other areas….so close to us….were not so good.  I was very sad.  My entire ride home, I prayed that our house was okay.  The house my kids were looking forward to sleeping in.  It was.  So many other areas though, so close to us, were not okay.  I struggled with my thoughts.  I knew so many were so hurt and devastated by what, I thought, would devastate us.

I was talking to a good friend, my ex-husband…(yes…we are good friends)…about things non-related, when he mentioned the devastation.  We shared in our grief of the entire situation.  We decided we would do something about it!  And we did!

A large group from our church, Southpoint Church, went to the most heavily effected area today.  We were told so many times by so many that no one would let us help.  We all wanted to go anyway!  And we did!

We donated to the local centers that were setup and ready with volunteers to help.  We bought more items as we learned what all was needed.  We prayed before we left to ask God to bless us that we could bless others.  We went in blind.  We didn’t know what we would see, who we could help, or if we could do ANYTHING other than drop stuff off….I knew that there was a strong chance that we would drive down there, drop the many, amazing donations that we’d all picked up, and leave.

However….

On the way to the second donation drop, one of our group said he’d recognized his father’s cousins’ house, on the way.  Everyone turned around, and we all met there.  His cousin was a successful business owner.  He was blessed.  He had a big house, several shops, a rental property next door…we knew he had money….he also had not a clue where to start on the devastation to much of his property…

We were not allowed to go to a lot of places….as the news stated…there were so many electrical obstacles, so many that needed their insurance companies to assess the damage…we couldn’t help there.  Where we could help, though, was at this man’s property.  He didn’t even know where to start….

All of us, plus 20 more…40+ in total, pitched in to just…start…!

Labor of love, doing what God told us to do.  Showing His love in a practical way.  With the experience that I had today….I was shown what the word-less definition of a humble heart is.  And I KNOW that many have shared this with me today.  The act of giving…to WHOEVER needs God’s favor and love….is more than ANY item that I could by for myself or for anyone.

It happened the day before Christmas Eve.  So many had NOTHING through the Christmas holiday this year.  Even though we had our material items…the best gift that I received this Christmas season, was the gift of God blessing me with the friends and family that I have that have joined me in helping others.

Jesus was born in a manger, because there was no room in the inn…He was born of a virgin and grew up to die on a cross so that all of us could be forgiven.  Helping others, in their time of need, when I have more than enough time to even NEED…..That is the LEAST that we could do!

I am so thankful and so blessed!

Bye for now,

RR