Program Success Christian Reader September 2007 | Page 39

The Christian Reader September 2007 39 Storms on the Horizon The Hurricanes of 2004 brought unprecedented damage to the state of Florida. The nation watched roofs being blown off and buildings literally destroyed as the “Sunshine State” experienced a barrage of beatings from its all-time enemy. What wasn’t seen on the national screen was the massive support that immediately came from cities across the country. Power companies and tele- phone companies sent in crews. Law enforcement agencies sent officers. Businesses and Churches sent water, food, ice, batteries and generators. The aid was greater than the devastation. People came and helped. The help came at the first sign of trouble. The help came to restore life as it was known. Those in need had no names, just individu- als who were down and was given a lift by those who were up. No one knows when trouble will come his or her way. The same hur- ricanes that hit Florida continued north and devastated other states as Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Ironically, these cities are among those who rendered help to Florida. Help later came to them because they came to help. We need to be more this way in our individual lives and relation- ships. Trouble comes and will come to each and every one of us. It comes in different forms and fashions. Sometimes seen and unseen, deserving and undeserving, however, trouble disrupts and devastates. Good-times, advancements, rewards and happi- ness in one’s life very seldom make it to the big screen. But the news of your troubles travels fast and is widely known by all. This is not all bad, for to know gives opportunity to help. “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). Your problems become my problems; my substance becomes your comfort. This only happens when we love a community, father a community, mother a community. Every man becomes your brother, every woman your sister, and every child becomes your child. I learned of this type of behavior first hand from my father, the late Amos Barrs, a teacher/preacher. I knew him at home as Daddy, but it wasn’t until I returned back home to Daytona Beach after his death, that I discovered just how much he meant to oth- ers. From time-to-time I would be approached by individuals that would express how my father gave to them, shared of himself, sacrificed, counseled, and walked an extra mile for them. I could hear and see their heartfelt compassion as they told of their per- sonal experiences with him. I came to know that my father was a provider to our community just as he was at home. The Bible tells us “if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, consider- ing thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1). There lies in this passage the Christian message that inspires people to be good-people and workers to be aid-workers. You blessing oth- ers becomes your blessings. The Bible tells us further that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37: 25). May this new year create for you more acts of kindness and love, and uncover for you greater opportunities of service to others that our community may grow stronger and this world becomes a bet- ter place to live. Neighbor to neighbor, friend to friend, we can be like the hurri- cane aid workers… run to each other at the first sign of trouble. The Christian Reader welcomes your articles, church and community news, special events and advertisements. Call or Write us today! [phone] [email protected]