United To Serve

The Sandy Calamity has made us aware of the fragility of our existence and the need for others to support us in concrete, tangible ways, as well as by listening, advising, and praying.  To have "lost everything" a refrain uttered by many on the Jersey Shore and even inland...to have had trees crush houses and cars, to have lost electricity for two weeks...these certainly take their toll.  Thanksgiving food drives remind us that for some, living from hand to mouth is not an occasional reality, but a year long way of life, a life which would be unbearable without the presence and help of others. Daily we hear stories of spouse abuse, child neglect, homelessness.  Begging hands are reaching out on all sides for helping hands.  Each of us, organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary and Exchange, schools, churches, the Salvation Army are helping to do what we can.  We may not reach all, but it becomes clear that together, united, we can serve to bring healing and help to those in need.  Let us not turn our backs on the bell ringers in front of stores or on street corners; let us not refuse to share extra food, let us find time to bring the compassion and love of Jesus to those who have so much less than we or who are in dire straights because of natural disasters of the loss of jobs.
Bro. Rene