“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
~Matthew 25:35-40
Disasters like this bring out the best and unfortunately the worst in people. I have been so blessed to see so much of the best as we have been involved in clean-up efforts around our hometown.
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| Audley cutting trees off of the road |
As we were working to clear the road behind our house to reach others who were blocked into their homes as group of boys from the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga (an hour away) showed up to give us a hand.
No one made them, they just wanted to help.
Watching these young men pitch in was such a breath of fresh air.
Knowing my Dad sacrificed his time to come down and help was so comforting.
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| My Bradley helping his Pop by taking of the branches as they were cut. |
But my children made me smile the most. Putting sibling rivalry aside for the time being they have been wonderful working together to aid in clean-up.
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| My girls working together |
It’s a painful time for even those who had no physical loss or damage. There is much grief and hurt still to work through, but that will come with time. Monday I will take my Madeline to the funeral of one of her classmates killed in this storm. This storm has affected everyone in some way.
Bridgeport has a long road to recovery, rebuilding, and healing, but with the strength already displayed from our neighbors, this community will be stronger than ever. I know the grace of God will lead us down this path.
Fiddle Dee Dee by Jennifer Jones 
Such a lot of work. It must be hard to know where to even begin. I am sorry for Madeline's loss and for all the loss and devastation. May you all experience comfort. (I liked what you said about your dad being there and the college boys who helped. These are the things that bring comfort just as Madeline will bring comfort by attending her classmate's services.) Blessings, courage, fortitude, and love be yours in the days to come.
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dear jennifer,
i am so sorry for your community's destruction. my husband
and i were just talking about our methodist churches plan to
help. we will also be praying. poor madeline.
love,
lea
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I cried looking at the photographs. Thank you for posting this — I think I was the most touched by those students who showed up just to help.
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I think Lollipop said it all. To know that there are still some young people who do things just because they are needed is comforting and gives me hope for the future. Thanks for sharing this for those of us who cannot imagine destruction like that. Here in Arizona we do occasionally get bad storms, but it's really nothing compared to what you have faced. You are in my positive thoughts!
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FYI….I am sooo proud of all our kiddos even Charlie.
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Praying for my southern sisters!
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