Welcome friends and neighbors

I have been watching hurricane coverage quite a bit these last few days. It has been horrible, but I have been particularly emotional about it today.

It all started with watching the Today show this morning. I saw the scene in Houston last night where bus loads of weary, hungry, devastated, homeless, jobless, disoriented refugees were welcomed into my great state with signs from strangers that read

"Welcome friends and neighbors".

What a welcome sight that must have been for these poor displaced people! Strangers were saying, "You have lost everything. I don't know you but I want to help you."

I get very emotional watching people display random acts of kindness. An SUV full of a poor family of 6 with one on the way. Their tire blew out last night. They had no money for gas. They spent the night in the parking lot of CVS pharmacy. This morning, a stranger came up to their car and filled it up with gas. A CVS employee fixed their tire and told them to come back if they needed anything.

These people might be wondering how could God allow something like this to happen. I think it is up to us as the Christian community to channel God's love, kindness, hospitality, and compassion for His hurting people. I pray that he gives everyone of us the opportunity to brighten a life of a survivor of this tragedy.