Support comes in many forms

This is my favorite time of year. I love to see the colorful vibrant leaves on the trees. The cool crisp evenings sitting by a crackling fire and sharing thoughts about our day with family are so enjoyable. I have a lot of work to do outside to prepare for the coming  winter. This changing of the seasons is an enjoyable change. So many changes we go through are not only unenjoyable but totally unexpected.

There is a deadly Hurricane approaching the southeastern United States coast. We have all been warned that this storm will be devastating and people have been urged to evacuate. Talk about change! These people may not have homes to return to. Their livelihoods might also be destroyed. How do you choose what possessions are important enough to take with you? I’m sure tough choices are being made.  Some will choose to stay and weather the storm. Some may have waited too long to heed the warnings and will face the ravaging storm. All the people living along the hurricane’s path have been forced to make decisions and will also be forced to live with the outcome of the storm. I have friends living in this area and my prayers are with them. I pray that they will heed the warnings and place the necessary value on what is truly valuable.

When our barn burned to the ground we also faced tough choices. There were only mere minutes to decide what could be saved.  The only thing we were able to save were the cars parked in front of the barn. I also rescued my dog.

We went through a lot of changes after the fire. It was definitely a stressful time. My daughter volunteered with the Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina and it was a life changing experience to help those who had literally lost everything.

There are people all around us who are facing hurricane’s in their lives. It might be a lost job, a foreclosure on their home, a serious illness, a loss of a loved one. These are devastating events and I have found the greatest need is for support.

Sometimes when we know someone is suffering due to an unexpected change in their life, we simply don’t know how to respond. Our excuse not to help is that we don’t know what to say. I have learned that words are not necessary.  Any expression of love will work wonders for the suffering individual.

When my sister in law’s father was killed in a plane crash it was a shocking event to endure for the family. I had no words to comfort my sister in law.  I put together a very large basket of goodies for her family to enjoy as they made funeral arrangements. A meal, a treat, a ride, simply spending time are all gestures that let someone know how much you care.

When I had brain surgery I received flowers from my doctor’s secretary. I will never forget how special it made me feel. There are many ways to reach out to people who need our support.

When this major hurricane has past in the next few days and people are struggling to regain their livelihoods, there will be ways to help them. The Red Cross is one of many organizations that will welcome your support and donations.

Many of us can’t simply pack up and go help but we have people all around us we can reach out to today. While there is time and hope, reach out and help someone restore their life, and faith in a living God.