Lessons learned from Katrina/Rita
By Felicia (Fee) Benamon (10/10/05)
Have we truly learned our lessons from Hurricane Katrina and Rita? I can guarantee you those storms will not be the last we see. After each disaster, there is a lesson to be learned, there can come some good out of something so terrible. Many of us ask the question "Why"? But we are missing the obvious?
Many of us call on God after a disaster, and the mention of faith in the media seems prevalent after we face such calamities. But when all is well again, we go back to our lives as usual, and the fight continues to rid the public of any mention of God in society. Why is that? God isn't a God of convenience, someone we can call on when things are tough. He is always there, and when we tell Him to step back out of our lives, He obliges and allows events to happen to make us realize that we cannot do it all without Him. Tough situations we face at times can be overwhelming if we don't have His help. I believe that is what God is trying to tell us.
Precious gifts
What matters most in life are those who are close to us. Our loved ones, our families. We must learn to appreciate them. Over 1,000 lives were lost to Hurricane Katrina alone! That should be a wake up call to us that life is fragile and it can be taken in a moment's notice. So treat each other well. Keep your loved ones close to your heart. Let them know you care.
The earth is awake these days. We don't know what we will face tomorrow...we could be here one minute, the next...in eternity.
What we do with our lives are also important. What we ultimately remember is what we've made of our lives here on earth. We must be appreciative of every moment, appreciative of life. We must make every day count, helping each other to live the best life possible.
Possessions only bring temporary pleasure. We work so hard to get that nice car, the nice house, etc. But we cannot put our faith in those things, or hold them to such high value.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." --Matthew 19-21
When it all boils down to it, material possessions become secondary to our very lives and the lives of others. There is nothing on this earth that is more precious to take the place of a human life!
Face it, as long as we reside on this planet, we will face hardships. We must realize our mortality, that we are dependent upon each other and God. Many times when tragedy strikes, there are moments of regret... "I didn't get to tell him/her how much I care" ...or "I would have done this differently". Don't let that be you! Why can't we just be real...letting our feelings show? Let's not get so busy with life that we really forget to "live"! No one knows how much time he/she has on this planet, I would want to make sure that all is well before I leave this earth. Appreciate the simple things in life. These lessons we must learn before we face the next inevitable disaster...otherwise each difficult situation will compound our troubles.
Three things to remember that are as solid as a rock: faith, family, and friends!
I hope that the struggles we've faced due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have changed our priorities. Lean on each other America! Let us all start to learn to treat each other like family. Let's keep the generous, loving spirit we felt after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, alive. Those in the media and Washington can argue all they want about whom is at fault, how future disasters are to be handled, etc. Let us, the American people show them what charity, and cooperation, is all about! And love to our fellow man. I believe the American government needs to refocus on the people anyway. It seems that these days, we have to be the real leaders! The Government is "by the people, and for the people". So let them take a cue from us, let's continue to be generous...churches, charities, ordinary citizens, continue to reach out to help your neighbor. Let's keep America strong!
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