I need to talk. I need to share with you what I have witnessed. I need to tell you about what my eyes have seen, because I've only seen one side.
As all of you know by now Piedmont was hit by a MASSIVE tornado. One that covered a 1/2 mile in width and stayed on the ground for 2 hours straight. I've been so very blessed to be able to work answering phone calls at the church for the past few days since the tornado and am overwhelmed at what I've heard and witnessed. I want you to know that within 24hours of the tornado we answered and took names and numbers from over 300 people. The next day, over 100 people. All people ready to help in anyway they can, waiting for me or someone else to call them and tell them what we need. I've witnessed AMAZING Men and Women running in and out of the office to go work on houses that were destroyed, taking food to workers that have been in the direct sunlight (as there is no shade anymore without trees) all day digging through debri, a kitchen that does not shut down until the very late evening and awakens the next day very early to serve a HOT breakfast, people putting in over 16 hour days to make sure they use every hour other than sleep to help, volunteers working so hard to organize a tremendous amount of donation items that pour in by the minute, countless hugs and tears shared, unloading and loading, and I know I'm only seeing one side to a MANY sided project. I haven't got to work on peoples land and see the sweat run from the workers heads, or the eyes of homeowners when someone finds something they thought they would never see again. I've only seen one side.
I have got to personally meet the families of so many that have lost everything material in their lives. I've witnessed the tears that come from their eyes when we inform them we can help and will help. I've seen the disbelief on their faces when they receive immediate help with clothing, food, financial support, and a hug. I've only seen one side.
The other side of this is the victims. Those that have lost precious babies, loved ones and beloved pets. Those that don't have that safe place on their couch or in their bed that they curl up to when things get tough. Victims having to make so many decisions about so many things that they never wanted to make...should I save this?...should I ask for help? ....should I trust them?....where do I live now?.....what do I do?....where and how do I begin?
Victims that have been thrown into a world that looks nothing like what they've been used to. You know when you get to go on a great vacation and you're on your way home and all you can think about is your home and just being in it? Think about the scariest thing happening to you and coming up from the ground and wanting to be in your house to cry, pray, and draw comfort, but instead you come up to smoke, pouring rain, and NO HOME. NO COUCH. NO BED. I was able to step out of the office today for an hour and visit what I believe is the worst part of where the tornado hit. I was escorted around by a brave and mature 20 yr old boy that had lost his home completely. He was gracious enough to answer questions about feelings and thoughts that were going through his mind when he walked out of that shelter. He tried his best to lay out his home to me as if he was back there. He showed me the shelter him, his Mom, Dad, and several neighbors got in together, never thinking it would be the last time they would feel the comfort of their home. What do you say to someone that has this kind of loss? I wanted to turn into to the little magic fairy that my girls watch in their movies and wave my wand and make his house come back, but I can't. I've only seen one side.
I am inspired by the resilience of these people. I am touched when I see them helping other victims. I am renewed in my faith when I see them laugh and smile. I am happy when they will accept the help and for a small instance see comfort breaking its way back into their lives. I am at peace when I see them choosing to not let this tragedy steal their hope, dreams, and faith. They may not have their posessions anymore but they never lost love. In fact, they have gained love.
I have not faced this kind of tragedy in my life, but I've faced tragedy. A pain I thought I could never heal from. What I learned is that in my life, when I feel the weakest. The most broken, that is when I truly see love. The kind of love that only the Father can give. The kind of peace that only the Father can give. The kind of hope that only the Father can give. So please, please my neighbors, my friends, don't give up on His love. Don't let anyone steal your hope. Instead, curl up in HIS lap and find comfort, because you will never lose it to tragedy. Let HIS people show you kindness and love, because I know that if I could see the other side you would do the same for me.
With all my love,
Julie
