What the Storm Did Not Take
February 17, 2008 will be a day remembered for a long time in Prattville, Alabama. A strong tornado plowed a path of destruction through the heart of residential and business sections of our city, leaving well over 100 homes completely destroyed and over 800 homes and businesses damaged to varying degrees. Two of our families in the Prattville church suffered total losses of their homes and several others received significant damage. Family members of several of our church members also experienced damage as well. Every person involved has a story to tell - a story that will never be forgotten by the one who experienced it. The financial loss figures are continuing to rise to reach many millions of dollars. The most devastating loss involved two people who received serious injuries from the storm. Our prayers are with them and their families for full recovery.
The most incredible part of this story, however, is what the storm did NOT take. First of all, there is great joy and gratitude that this storm did not take any lives even in the midst of its destruction. When you see the devastation and the multitude of debris and destruction, it is amazing that no one died that day! We realize that there certainly COULD have very easily been many funerals as a result of that storm, but God showed us mercy and spared us those losses. The loss of material possessions and the trauma involved in that was put in perspective when the realization came that everyone survived. It became so very clear that people are more important than things.
The storm also gave. In all the things the storm took away, the tornado actually gave many of us the opportunity to give and to serve. People were anxious to do something to help those with losses, and the members of the Prattville church went into immediate action to be of help to our church family who suffered. It was truly inspiring to see such an effort take place. The help extended from our church members out to the community at large and gave us opportunities to connect with many people with needs. The help from Church of Christ Disaster Relief provided materials for us to distribute. Workers from Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team provided experienced leadership and manpower to guide us in helping. Churches and Christians from all around have sent financial assistance and offered work teams to help. Every person who has given of themselves has been blessed in the process of helping others. I think we are all very proud of the Prattville community as well, as we have seen so much work being willingly done to get the huge job of clean-up done.
This event has also given us the opportunity to remember that "the things which are seen are temporary" (2 Corinthians 4:18). Everything we have in a material way can be taken away, and someday will when this life is over. We must remember that "the things which are not seen are eternal." The greatest help we can give to people is to help them find their way to Jesus and the salvation that is found only in Him. We pray that this storm has opened some doors to help people with their greatest need of all.
God has been glorified. His power has been known. The principle that Jesus taught, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" was made clear to many. We praise God for the saving of lives. We praise Him for the good that has been shown in people. And we praise Him to be reminded that all material possessions are temporary and the only things that last are eternal.
Brent Missildine
Minister, Prattville Church of Christ
If you'd like more information please contact me. (334) 365-4201