...and two weeks later, it's tornadoes!

Here I was just complaining about ice and the Oklahoma weather throws us some tornadoes in February! I think I'd better quit complaining right away.

The past two weeks have certainly been dramatic and very tramatic in more ways than one. With uncertain and rapidly changing climates in our government and economy, our daily lives are definitely reflecting the weather changes here in Oklahoma.

Last week, we experienced "downsizing" when suddenly and without any warning or chance to say goodbye, we lost some members of our "Christian Family" community of employees. Each one was very special and had a special testimony and Christian witness and many, many friends here. It not only hurt to lose them but it also made us feel vulnerable and betrayed in some way. Someone has said the word "downsizing" is a much less emotional word than "layoff" but it certainly didn't seem that way to the ones who were told to leave or the ones who remained and had to deal with the loss. I know we will all adjust and move on with the help of the Lord, but it's just hard to accept.

This week, the atmospheric conditions on the inside were certainly reflected on the outside with the first tornadoes of the year...in February! It was very chaotic and disturbing arround here and again there was loss for people to deal with in the form of damage to buildings and homes and greater still in the deaths of eight people. Again, there was no chance to say goodbye! I did not know any of those people but I do know that no words will make it better or less emotional for them. I do pray God will help them to find comfort in the love of friends and neighbors and strangers who come to help in the recovery!

So, are there lessons to be learned here? The answer is, there are always lessons to be learned. In situations like this we are often amazed by how much we have taken for granted and quickly realize what is most important to us and what we can easily do without.

It also helps to remember that even in chaotic and uncertain times, some things never change. God is always there when we need to go to Him. Hopefully, we haven't been taking Him for granted.