Easter week and weekend is supposed to be a happy occasion. But this week has been a horrendous one for parts of Alabama. It has been devastating on many families, having lost everything they own, and some losing loved ones. Things can be replaced but lives cannot be.

Alabama was well warned about the possible tornadoes and dangerous thunderstorms about to invade our area, coming over from Mississippi. The weather men on television were right on top of what was happening. Here in my specific area, we only got marble-sized hail, lots of hard rain, and thunder and lighting. It was sort of scarey, but nothing compared with what families in West Birmingham areas and about a 21 mile span going Northeast had to endure. I am sure, for those families in the path of destruction, it seemed like an eternity, but was probably only a few minutes. But lives were forever changed; things will never be the same. Even though one might not have lost a life, to lose life's possessions can be just as devastating. Family treasures are forever lost, perhaps landing miles and possibly states away in someone's yard. Their 'footing' has been pulled out from under them; their lives so overturned, I am sure it's hard to get your bearings again.

But for the grace of our GOD, any of us here in the path could have been where hundreds of families are today - without a home, without personal effects, and some without loved ones. I praise the Lord that he spared me and my family and our homes and all the neighborhoods around. I have no idea why the storms reeked havoc on some and not on others - why it chose to go one direction and not another. I am sure some of these families have lived in their vicinites for years and never gave it a thought that one day their lives would be turned upside down by a tornado. It's just not something we dwell on; we want to trust GOD that we won't ever be in that situation. Then, one day, we are there.

God indeed has risen; his grace is sufficient for our needs! There is nothing, no situation too big for him to handle. He can reach down and bring all the hurting families out of the situation they are in today - with homes that were swept away by the 250-275 mile an hour winds....the possessions lost, and give them comfort and peace through his love for hurting hearts because of the lost loved ones. Those of us not affected by the situation, other than to have been in the outskirts of the storm, or those of us in areas not even remotely close to those hurting, should pray for the needs of these individuals, for the ones in the hospital, for those cleaning up the areas, removing debris, power lines that were downed, and those keeping the peace and supplying food, water and medical aid. We have a great community of believers, ones that bind together when devastation hits. And God is going to reward those that help his people.

This Easter Sunday will not be the same for those people. Lots of them lost their churches and won't have a church in which to congregate, but special services are being set up for some in their own parking lots - or on the hill behind the churches for sunrise services. Other churches are lending their churches for extra services for those without a home church this Easter Sunday. In other words, Alabama has great people that work together in time of need!! They assist when assistance is needed. All of Alabama knows that, but by the Grace of God, we could have been in that place.

Unless we've been there, it's hard to imagine what these people must be going through. I've been in the place of losing a lost loved one, but never in this situation. I have never lost a home, or all my possessions. But one only needs to watch television for awhile, with the storm path being shown, to understand how HARD this is on those people, especially the elderly who have lived in homes perhaps all their lives. One couple, and elderly gentleman and his wife, had lived in their home all their life; in fact, the husband had been there since he was 8 months old. They had been married 70 years, and they lost their lives together in this tornado. This has to be a tremendous hurt to the children/granchildren and perhaps great grandchildren who lost both mother and daddy in the same minute. And the three children who lost their mother and daddy, and they were found okay..may God supply them with the love and protection that those hurting hearts will endure for a lifetime.

Folks, we never know when it's our time to depart from this world. It doesn't have to be a sickness as many found out Wednesday night. Doesn't have to be a car wreck, shooting, etc..... One mother took her two children to the corner of her basement, the one place we are told that is safe, and death came quickly with walls falling in on them - we are NEVER safe from death... death comes in the twinkling of an eye... in a split second we can be here, and then gone to meet Jesus. IT comes for the old and young alike; death knows no boundaries. So, during this Easter week, as we celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour, if you haven't asked God to be your Saviour, or if you aren't living the life that you know God requires, why not take a few minutes to ask God forgiveness, to have his blood flow over your soul, wash away your sins, and make you white as snow. It's so easy let God know you realize you are a sinner, that you want to be the vessel that his Spirit will want to dwell in, and ask him to take and mold you the way he wants, not the way you desire, but by his desire.....that you may be ready to leave this world when DEATH approaches....

Heavenly Father, I ask that you reach down and comfort those broken lives, mend those broken hearts, and give them your peace. You have the peace that passeth all understanding, peace that no other can give. We know your grace is sufficient for their every need = your joy is their strength. May they realize that you are still there; that you never left even in the 'eye' of the storm - you were there - even when destruction seemed to take away all they had - they still had you....you will be their peace, their provider, and all that they will ever need. You will sustain them through all the hurt and pain and be there to pick them up when they feel they are falling through the memories of that terrible day. May those that were not saved during that time will give their hearts to you...come to realize that you are the 'grace' that brought them through... We give you praise and honor and glory....In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Written ©April 11, 1998 by Barbara Sanders. All rights reserved.
Copy only with permission.