LIFT THEM UP!
For the last couple of days a haze has been creeping into our city. My first thought was simply, ‘It’s overcast’. By the third day I began to realize this has everything to do with the wild fires in the northern part of the province. Today the scent of smoke is causing a choking feeling to come over me; and I have no allergies or history of asthma! The intensity of the smoke is almost unbelievable considering the fires are hundreds of kilometres away.
My heart goes out to the residents in the affected communities and those fighting the seemingly endless battle there. I try to put myself in their place; seeing the glow coming closer, hearing the roar and the crackling and of course knowing you have to evacuate and choosing what are the most important things to pack and take along. Just trying to imagine makes my heart heavy.
Then of course once you’re on the road and you know you are facing....what? You cannot be sure where you and your loved ones will end up, IF your loved ones are with you. In many cases men will opt to stay and fight and that adds a whole new stress to the scenario. Families get separated and cannot be sure when they will be re-united. Wherever you end up for the duration, will the townspeople accept you and show compassion or will they see you as an added burden to their already over-taxed community? Will they resent your presence among them?
So many things perking and turning in your tired brain. Then there is the issue of provision; not everyone has a bank account that will sustain them for several months away from home and consistent employment. Or even when they are eventually allowed back will there still be employment, or did it all go up in flames?
May I appeal to every kind, compassionate cell in your heart today? Do what you can in the way of assistance. If you live close enough to be able to offer the extra hands needed, do it! Financial help is always welcomed and of course there is the avenue of prayer. Where we may not know the people affected or involved, God does and we can leave it in His very capable hands knowing that He loves all His children and cares for us all. If you know someone caught in the midst of this tragedy let them know you care. Love and compassion is always in style!
In this very short life I’ve lived so far I have found that people will always respond to a kind, caring word and a smile.
Please remember to use these tools freely as you continue on your way to the party.
My heart goes out to the residents in the affected communities and those fighting the seemingly endless battle there. I try to put myself in their place; seeing the glow coming closer, hearing the roar and the crackling and of course knowing you have to evacuate and choosing what are the most important things to pack and take along. Just trying to imagine makes my heart heavy.
Then of course once you’re on the road and you know you are facing....what? You cannot be sure where you and your loved ones will end up, IF your loved ones are with you. In many cases men will opt to stay and fight and that adds a whole new stress to the scenario. Families get separated and cannot be sure when they will be re-united. Wherever you end up for the duration, will the townspeople accept you and show compassion or will they see you as an added burden to their already over-taxed community? Will they resent your presence among them?
So many things perking and turning in your tired brain. Then there is the issue of provision; not everyone has a bank account that will sustain them for several months away from home and consistent employment. Or even when they are eventually allowed back will there still be employment, or did it all go up in flames?
May I appeal to every kind, compassionate cell in your heart today? Do what you can in the way of assistance. If you live close enough to be able to offer the extra hands needed, do it! Financial help is always welcomed and of course there is the avenue of prayer. Where we may not know the people affected or involved, God does and we can leave it in His very capable hands knowing that He loves all His children and cares for us all. If you know someone caught in the midst of this tragedy let them know you care. Love and compassion is always in style!
In this very short life I’ve lived so far I have found that people will always respond to a kind, caring word and a smile.
Please remember to use these tools freely as you continue on your way to the party.
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