When Your Town Is Gone…..

The past few days have been emotionally brutal. I had to turn the TV off. I pried myself away from the images of the tornado ravaged area just a few streets from where I live. The park where Jackson used to play is gone.

I have felt numb.

I have cried so many tears.

I have felt sick to my stomach.

Guilt has consumed me.

How do you do normal day-to-day things when thousands of people may never know normal again? I went to throw a load of laundry in and I sobbed. I have clothes. I have electricity. I have water.

Yesterday I had to get out of my house. I had to do something to help. I took a right out of our neighborhood and drove north (the only way I can really get anywhere right now) and headed to a Target in Oklahoma City. I filled a cart with diapers, wipes, water, and other needed items.

The TCU baseball team, wearing grape-colored shirts, piled out of a bus and grabbed baskets. They piled items into the baskets for tornado victims.

Water, baby food, cleaning supplies, food, medicine…..

I thanked them. Then I broke down and sobbed on the diaper aisle.

Jackson and I headed to the Disney Store and purchased backpacks and stuffed animals – 1200 children who attended the schools destroyed by the tornado will receive a new backpack and stuffed animal tomorrow when they are all reunited.

When there’s a need, Oklahoman’s find a way to fill it! That’s how we heal from the heartache.

I heard these words on the radio this morning.

And I’ll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am And every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm.

Destruction surrounds me, my heart aches, but goodness has prevailed. God’s goodness. Oklahoman’s goodness. The goodness of people all over the world. We do have reason to praise Him!