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Hope Found in Wake of Devastating Tornados that Hit the Midwest

byKasey Dean
December 29, 2021

It has been 17 days since the deadly tornado outbreak that has devastated parts of the midwest. The wake of the twisters has left entire communities demolished, lives, lost, and some still missing. Yet the people still cling to hope.

President Biden toured the areas with their respective Governors the week before Christmas. The shock of the people was clearly evident as they walked amongst the debris.

Yet even in the shadow of such destruction, the people have still found hope through the incredible signs left behind and the selfless services of others.

Hope in the Midst of Devastation

The First Baptist Church in Mayfield, KY like most of the town, has seen happier days. The Tornado that demolished most of the street left its mark. The windows have been blown out, structural damage to the roof and walls, and yet within the sanctuary where stain glass windows once filtered the light stands a tall wooden cross. A cross that did not fall, break or get sucked into the tornado itself.

It has become a beacon of hope to the people of Mayfield. Rev. Wes Fowler pastors at the First Baptist Church of Mayfield and described the experience to an ABC local affiliate soon after the storms.

…safe back at home, his daughter had a question that left him stumped: “My little girl asked me, ‘Why would God let this happen?’” said Fowler, senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Mayfield.

While he believes God did allow the tornado to happen, he had no answer as to why the western Kentucky community where he was baptized, grew up and chose to raise his family wasn’t spared from the Friday night storms that left dozens dead and communities reeling across at least five states. But he felt he knew what to do next: glorify God amid the suffering, and serve those in need.

“It’s easy to serve the Lord when things are good,” Fowler said. “It’s more challenging to serve him when times are bad, and I think that’s really when people are looking to see if our faith is genuine, if our faith is true.”

https://twitter.com/publicroad/status/1475261703717900297

A Chance to Serve

Our world is full of disasters that devastate us, whether it be the destruction brought on by a deadly storm or the painful loss of a job. Everyone faces something in their lives at one point or another that brings them to their knees.

How we bring hope to people lost in suffering is not meaningless platitudes but service that matters. We can pray for them, no matter what others say about prayer it is a powerful tool in the service to others.

We can take action. CBN’s Operation Blessing’s, Samaritans Purse, and other charities have boots on the ground that are helping feed, shelter, and bring peace to the survivors, you can give to such organizations to help with the need. Rescues and searches are still ongoing, and clean-up crews are making organization amongst the ruble, all of which need volunteers.

Then there are. those who have traveled from states away to serve in som compacity, even food truck drivers to feed workers and residents alike.

We may not be able to do everything, but in the service of others to bring hope to the broken, we all can do something.

Author
Kasey Dean
Kasey is passionate about her faith, politics, and American history. Raised as an Army Brat she has traveled this country, and has seen the best and worst of America, and still believes in the foundational ideals that birthed this great nation. She has written for publications such as Lanterns.buzz, has published fictional works, and blogs at fullandjoyful.com.
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