Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Our surroundings have changed and so does our Heart

I live in Alabama and if anyone who has been watching the news you have seen the devastion of the Tornados. The neighborhood where I live was not touched but just a few miles around us..Home after home was destroyed.. People have lost their lives.. We only lost the power for a week but it was nothing to what other people have lost.. You can see things like this on the news but until to walk into to these areas. There are no words I know to use to describe it..

The one thing I do know is that God humbled me and made me realize the things we think that are important are not.  I drive passed some of these neighborhoods everyday and never ever think about the people that live in them.. Honestly my neighbors next door, I do not think about their life and what they may need.
I realized we need to open our eyes and our hearts and help those around us..
So I did..God is amazing...God tells us to love our neighbors..Do we? Mostly I do not think so.
 
When you get out there to help one another. To come together to pick up small personal items and put them into piles.  Because the home that once was there is completely gone..  When they took your hand just to say thank you for just the small things..It humbled me and I will never be the same..I took just a few pictures to remind my self.  I am sharing these with you..  I have learned to look at people and wonder about the hurts and joys..To give hugs and then listen to them praising God just to be alive and not complaining about losing everything they have..
Our church and so many other churches have come together to help.  Our communties have pulled together to help..People from other states to give a helping hand...Hours and hours  volunteers have put in and they do not seem to mind.. They just want to help..
I know now my God is alive and I am truly blessed to be called one of his children.

May you realize the important things in life are not the things we have on this earth.
Matthew 6:19..
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,where moth and rest destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your tresure is there your heart will be also.

Katelen









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10 comments:

GlorV1 said...

Oh my. Such tragedy all over this world. Now in Memphis the floodings and people losing their homes. It is so sad. I'm happy that you are helping as best you can. It is just horrific. Bless you Katelen.

Mary said...

You are so right Katelen, we do not...I do not love my neighbor as I should. And I fear even when tragedy like this hits, and we enter into other's pain and hardship we can...I can simply re-enter a complacent life after...unless as you said our hearts shift.

Lord please keep shifting our hearts!!

Love to you my friend!

Odd Chick said...

Katelen, I'm so glad you're okay but I know it must be hard to share the loss of those around you. I'm glad they have an angel amoung them- you- because you will spread love and comfort wherever you go. Thanks for reminding of us to love and to lay up our treasures in heaven.

Patti Edmon Artist said...

Oh my, I hadn't realized you live in Alabama (where my mother and her sisters grew up) but after reading your amazing, inspiring, humbling post, I can honestly say that your spiritual and creative spirit is so in charge of who you are, and I'm glad to call you friend. Having a chronic illness is NOTHING like the devastation surrounding you, but it has taught me a great deal about priorities and what really matters. Connecting with others, whether through fellowship, helping, or just making someone's day a bit brighter is a great gift. Thank you!

classics said...

Yes, all is ruins and desolation.

JoshuaPMestroni said...

Wow...I'm an Aussie and had no idea that this had even happened. Can't imagine how terrifying it was I mean tornadoes are like mythical things to me (well you know what I mean).

It sounds like you are dealing with it all remarkably well. I think you are so right, we need to have a bit more perspective, about what's important in our day to day lives.

GlorV1 said...

Just stopped by to return your kind gesture of stopping by and say hello. Hope you are doing well and that your Mom is also doing well. Thanks for the thought, I do appreciate it very much. Take care of yourself.

Manon said...

Sorry I haven't been around in a bit, Katelen!! life has gotten in the way!! The devastation from those tornadoes is awful. I saw some if it first hand while I was in NC. I will keep sending prayers for all those families!!
Your blog looks terrific....btw!!
manon
xo

Noelle Dunn.... A Poet in Progress said...

Many blessings to you, Katelen. You speak such truth. I wish we could and would all reach out more to eachother on a daily basis and waste time being so petty towards one another. You're in my thoughts. Hope you and Mom are well.

Laura said...

thank you beautiful soul for sharing these thoughts, photos, reminders to be present to everyone we meet...we are all children of God and need each others help...we are all connected.