I don't watch the news.....really....

"I don't watch the news...it's depressing, creates high anxiety for me...and my kids become gripped by fear that the catastrophes that happen all over will strike our home. I am doing my part and praying...but I can't stop living and sit and watch the count of hurt/dead people rise...I cannot emotionally handle it. In fact, did you know our society...and it tends to be children, are beginning to show signs of PTSD from all the news inundating their lives w/ the weather tragedies, bombings, murders, etc. I choose to protect them from things that they cannot emotionally handle either....It's horrible what happen. I'm waiting to see where God would lead us to give to relief, if He does. I will do my part, but I will enjoy today w/ my family, because like what the news proved today, you never know when your last will be. I will take advantage of having breath as long as I have. I will grieve.."

A true response on FB today to a friend, who I think was trying to make me feel guilty about posting about my broke dryer.

But....

• Is it healthy to sit and dwell on death? 
• Is it healthy to sit and do nothing and just watch the news all day?
• Is it insensitive to not post the numbers of dead people? 
• Is it insensitive to not acknowledge it because what more can one say?

The news stations, the radio, and CNN.com do a great job of keeping us all up to date. I am....I was speechless on the topic.

I am so sad for the people who lost their lives in this freak tornado accident. What a sad dilemma for all those who lost children and moms, dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, and on and on. I cannot imagine what it is like. Although, I have a few very dear friends who know what it is like to lose a child or parent in a tragic, unexpected event, and it's just awful. I have been praying off and on all day for those people. What they need now is their physical needs met, Critical Incident Stress Management by Chaplains and Grief Counselors...and all the prayer they can get!

What this does provide is an opportunity for people to help, an opportunity for God's people to rise up and help those in need with funds that can feed and clothe, and diaper.

I am not a person to sit in awe and flip from every station to see who is reporting what...although, I don't even have cable to do that anyways....but I stay informed, and I pray...routinely...throughout the day, waiting to see how God would move my heart to help.

Yesterday was a tragedy, but let us realize we are not in control...and that we truly do not know when our last breath is....we do not know when our last meal with loved ones will be, so let us seize the days of our personal lives with those we love and cherish. Let's make sure our relationships are healthy, we have forgiven, our kids know we love them unconditionally. Let's make sure that we have an intimate walk with the Lord and that we are spirit-led in our lives and not walking by the flesh or trapped in bondages of addiction, OCDs, judgmentalness, or bitterness. Let's make sure we are helping those right in front of us, in our path, whom we CAN help.

Folks, we may not see tomorrow, God forbid, yet it's a reality that tragedy reminds us all to well of. Let us not let another day go by without loving the unloved, and extending our hand to the hurting. Open your eyes and see, they may be in your home, your family, your workplace, your neighborhood, your classroom, the grocery store.

I pray that this tornado tragedy would stir compassion from the nations, and that God would give the survivors strength to continue on. I pray that those who lost loved ones would be comforted with a peace that surpassing all understanding. And I pray that we will meditate on the truth that we have no idea what the future holds...let us all stand right with God, ready for our last breaths, if they may come today.




***Note: I honestly choose not to live in places where hurricanes and tornadoes hit for this very reason. I do not live on the banks of a river, or on the shore line to avoid a flood. I cannot control everything, but I can lower my risk of catastrophe. Ask my husband, when we dream of moving out of smoggy Bakersfield....I say 'no' to many places....Central U.S. through tornado alley - big NO. Atlantic coastal hurricane areas - big NO....Northern U.S. too much snow or not enough sunlight....East Coast, NO...that's the terrorist fave place to bomb....the only thing I have to worry about in Bakersfield is Korea bombing CA....or an earthquake hitting, which is rare...or getting that ugly horrible valley fever. But trust me, I want out of here, since I don't want none of that...So to answer my friend, yes I hear of the news...but I cannot watch it....too much stress. Want to lower your stress levels, stop watching the news...it's horrible stuff to see and hear of...daily. I honestly don't think it's good for you....