3 times over the course of three years I uprooted myself from my “normal” life. I left my home, the place I’m most comfortable, the place where I have dominion (well most of the time). I left my country. A place where I understand most of the customs, where I understand the language, a place where I nearly always feel safe. I got on a plane and traveled
a great distance to a place that I knew I would love, but I didn’t realize how much I would love the people. Going that great distance changed me. It changed how I watch the news of the world. It changed how I look at my own culture. It changed what I think about and pray about. I talked about it with the people closest to me and people that I hardly knew. My trips to the Philippines changed me.
This change in me was most noted when the news of Hurricane Yolanda came to light. 
A huge Hurricane, maybe the largest ever, was bearing down on a place that was on the other side of the world from me. Normally, this would just be a blip of news that I may or may not notice. If there was a connection to me through friends or my church, I might donate to a relief cause or say a prayer for them. But normally, I wouldn’t care much for the pain happening such a great distance from me. But I had been there. I had walked with the people whom the storm was bearing down on. I had worshiped with them, worked with them, ate with them, I became friends with them. And because I had been there, I cared….oh I cared. I wanted to do anything in my (limited) power to help them. I wanted to raise money yes, but more than that, I wanted to BE WITH THEM. I wanted to return.
This morning, I realized that in this, I can identify with God. He has been here. He left his home, he left the most glorious place ever imagined. He left his power and became a poor baby with no power. He walked with us, worked with us, worshiped with us. He became friends with us, he wanted the best for us in so many ways. Then he left. He could have stayed but he left knowing greater things would happen.
This morning, as I was reading and praying and worshiping…preparing to lead the body here in worship, I was reminded by Him that when we are in the path of a great storm, He wants nothing more than to help us, to protect us, to BE WITH US, to return.
I praise God this morning…because even though he is a great distance from us…HE’S BEEN HERE! And he loves me and cares for me and is with me….and will return.
Praise God!
Doyle what an amazing thought! Thank you for putting it into words and sharing it. Truly, it touched my heart today.
I pray that God would make my heart like yours, brother, as it is like Christ’s.
Good article Do
Well written, Robin. I understand the leaving and going to a new place and relating with the people there. When the storm came we were also longing to help in some way. I had met, became friends with, and ate with a few in the Philippines. Yes, prayers and thoughts have changed.
Now in another place an army has invaded a land where we lived, taught and learned, became friends with, ate with, cried and laughed with and saw births and deaths. Love is shared, but now some loved ones have lost homes, not from a storm but from the invading military. Real Estate, property, a sense of well being, are being lost as well as bodily injury and loss of life occurring. As a result people are living in shelters that are not adequate for the number of people who have had to crowd into the limited space during cold winter months. Ukraine is suffering from the ambition of a cruel ruler in another country.
I see similarities between the suffering from a storm and suffering from war. I pray God’s healing and comfort in both tragic situations.
Thank you Robin for writing such a wonderful heartfelt message. Dad
Mr. Selby. Thanks for the comments but it wasn’t written by Robin, it was written by me! Robin kindly shared this on her facebook page.
I am friends with Johnny and Robin and have visited them several times. You dun good with that daughter of yours! She is fantastic and I have watched her minister to the young women and men at LCC. You have so much to be proud of!
Again, thank you for your comments.
My mistake, Doyle! I just read back through it and realized that is wasn’t by Robin, but from you. Then I went on down and read your comments. Sorry for the mistake, but glad for the writing. Thanks Doyle!