Kat is sitting in the middle of all the bird feeder poles this morning, looking for a tasty treat. The birds are lined up on the power line by the old oak tree waiting for her to leave. I counted 15 cardinals, three finches, and three female grosbeaks. The male grosbeak is brave and just continues to eat on the bird feeder on the tallest pole. He’s so handsome in his black and white checked sport coat and red kerchief.

I’m looking out over a wondrous fall morning, crisp and clear, azure blue sky. I ate my breakfast sitting in the swing listening to cheerful bird songs, soft pings of the wind chimes, being grateful for my family’s safety in my small southern town. When we left New Smyrna Beach Tuesday morning we watched the sandbags being placed around doors and saw plywood and corrugated tin being screwed up on windows. All the store clerks we talked to were cheerful and spoke of weathering hurricanes with smiles and thanks you when we said we’d pray for their safety. I can’t help but think of all the hearts that are hurting from the recent hurricanes this morning.

Every time some castrophy of nature happens we are reminded that we aren’t in control. God is in control and the devastation of the hurricanes shows us how fragile life really is. I wonder if God is disappointed in us, sounding an alarm for us to wake up and repent of our sins. Isaiah 45:6-7 reads, “I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.”

There are no promises of another tomorrow and we should be thankful for each day and each breath. All the stories of countless kindnesses of workers and volunteers helping out in the hurricane torn communities make me wonder why it takes a tragedy to pull Americans together with compassion and kindness. We stand tall and tightly together in times of crisis with no restraints, giving freely of our time, money, and our resources, packing trucks with food and supplies, volunteering to help in any way needed. Wonder why we can’t get along and agree to disagree during times of normality.

I think we all feel our humanness when tragedy occurs and we think, there but for the grace of God go I. We’re shocked into the realization that but for God’s grace the calamities could have happen to us. We’re grateful for being spared the trials and motivated by our humility to help others. BibleInfo says, “The calamities and catastrophes that engulf our world serve as reminders that this world of sin, pain, hate, fear, and tragedy will not last forever. Jesus has promised that he will return to Earth to save us from our world that is falling to pieces.”

We need to take our spiritual life seriously. Prayers for peace for those affected by the hurricane destruction and prayers for peace for our troubled world.

“Bless those who have survived and heal their memories of trauma and devastation. May they have the courage to face the long road of rebuilding ahead. We ask your blessing on all those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, their security and their hope. Bless the work of relief agencies and those proving emergency assistance. May their work be guided by the grace and strength that comes from You alone.” — jesuitsource.org