I have been saying prayers of thanks this week after seeing the pictures of devastation and destruction in Atlanta. You see my sister Janice is Physician who lives in suburban Atlanta. I happened to be home visiting my parents in southern Illinois when the Tornado hit downtown Atlanta. As soon as we saw the awful pictures I could tell by my mothers face she had one goal. To talk to her child. Luckily, we got in touch with Janice. She was fine. She happened to be working when the storms hit. Not being near windows she tells us she had no idea how serious the storms were till she got home at saw the damage on TV.
Every time there is a life threatening weather event many of us in the news cannot help but pause and pray. We've seen much of the damage close up. We have witnessed the tears and sadness. We've comforted people whose lives have been ripped apart. By seeing their pain, you feel it.
When mother nature turns destructive, the consequences can be deadly. But knowing your loved ones have been spared is an important reminder to keep gratitude close at hand. And after talking to my sister Janice this weekend, it was a stark reminder. Do not take good fortune for granted.