LOVE IN DISASTERS
It is in the most trying of times when we see the most unconditional form of love being displayed. It is in the most difficult circumstances that we discover our love for others.
Love for family and friends - When typhoon Ondoy hit the country and news of massive flooding filled the news, everyone scampered for their phones, (that were still working then) worked up their mobile phone keypads, texting their families and friends to know their safety and with every reply received that they’re in some safe place, came overwhelming peace and thankfulness. We discovered who really matters to us and who truly cares about us.
Love for strangers - Naturally, we checked on our relatives and friends first but it’s the touching flow of generosity and support that really moved me (and continuously moves me) from strangers. Everyone wanted to donate, volunteer, help, in any way one could, strangers we don’t even know at all, not only from fellow Filipinos but from citizens all over the world.
Love for the intolerable – And then there are those, who for some reason I can’t understand, took advantage to start malicious controversies on the internet by posting supposed insulting comments to the Philippines, rumors to malign some unsuspecting individual, not realizing they’re not helping but hampering information by wasting internet space that could be used for public service during calamity. And how do we love them? By being patient and ignoring their thoughtless ways (maybe deal with them later).
Love for God – Finally, amidst all the chaos and natural tragedies that we can’t really stop nor do anything about to prevent, we find our NEED FOR GOD. We re-discover our prayerfulness and REALIZE THAT in the end, when our resources have run out and we’ve nowhere else to run, WE CAN RUN BACK TO GOD and although He’s enabled us to make some difference through love, everything is still IN HIS HANDS.
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have calamity, or hungry, or in danger, or threatened with death? No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. - Romans 8:35 & 37 (New Living Translation)"
Love for family and friends - When typhoon Ondoy hit the country and news of massive flooding filled the news, everyone scampered for their phones, (that were still working then) worked up their mobile phone keypads, texting their families and friends to know their safety and with every reply received that they’re in some safe place, came overwhelming peace and thankfulness. We discovered who really matters to us and who truly cares about us.
Love for strangers - Naturally, we checked on our relatives and friends first but it’s the touching flow of generosity and support that really moved me (and continuously moves me) from strangers. Everyone wanted to donate, volunteer, help, in any way one could, strangers we don’t even know at all, not only from fellow Filipinos but from citizens all over the world.
Love for the intolerable – And then there are those, who for some reason I can’t understand, took advantage to start malicious controversies on the internet by posting supposed insulting comments to the Philippines, rumors to malign some unsuspecting individual, not realizing they’re not helping but hampering information by wasting internet space that could be used for public service during calamity. And how do we love them? By being patient and ignoring their thoughtless ways (maybe deal with them later).
Love for God – Finally, amidst all the chaos and natural tragedies that we can’t really stop nor do anything about to prevent, we find our NEED FOR GOD. We re-discover our prayerfulness and REALIZE THAT in the end, when our resources have run out and we’ve nowhere else to run, WE CAN RUN BACK TO GOD and although He’s enabled us to make some difference through love, everything is still IN HIS HANDS.
"Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have calamity, or hungry, or in danger, or threatened with death? No despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. - Romans 8:35 & 37 (New Living Translation)"
Comments