Why?

Our family headed to Tuscaloosa yesterday for our godson's (Gus Holt) first communion.  It had been planned for months and I was so glad that the celebration was held, despite the disaster and devastation in many parts of Tuscaloosa.  We got to see first hand some of the worst hit areas off of McFarland Boulevard.  It looked like a bomb had exploded and thrown enormous pieces of metal like they were mere tissue paper.  There was one area where huge billboards where bent and twisted and the metal signs were over a block away, mangled and wrapped high in the tree tops.  We also took some items to the Temporary Emergency Services warehouse near downtown.  So much was going on and so many people were donating - it was surreal at times.  And all I could think about were all the people who died or are missing (over 400 are still missing in Tuscaloosa alone), all those who were left with nothing but the clothes on their back, all those whose lives are forever changed by a tornado that took mere seconds to destroy everything in its 1.5 mile-wide path across the state of Alabama.

Through all this tragedy, Ward has asked some hard questions.  Particularly he has asked why God sent the tornados.  Why did people have to die?  Why did God allow them to lose everything that they had?  Why mama?  I didn't really know how to answer his questions.  I have the same questions.   I told him that God didn't send the tornados, but instead sometimes God allows bad things to happen, even to good people.  And that we will never truly understand why.  I told him that we have to trust and believe that there is a greater good to what is going on and that we can be a part of that good.

To be honest, I did not like my answer.  (I don't think he did either as he asked Ted and my mom the same questions.)  Why does all this stuff happen?  And why does it keep on happening?  Katrina, the Tsumani, the earthquake and floods in Japan, and now these tornados, just to name a few.  Ted and I have been talking about this since Wednesday and I am at a loss for answers.  Ted pointed to a devotional he read by C.S. Lewis which talks about pain, suffering, and hardship in general.  To paraphrase, C.S. Lewis thought that without hardship, we would never truly apreciate good.  Of course that is true, but it still does not satisfy my logical, legal mind.

But I know that good things have come from these horrible disasters.  Some of the absolute best parts of humanity are awakened.  The volunteers and the outpouring of people and supplies from around the country has been amazing.  Not so sure about Charlie Sheen, but we will take all the help that we can get.  Ted forwarded me a letter from the Greek Organizations at the University of Alabama who have mobilized and are doing great things. Here is a portion:
Today, we prepared 1/4 of the total amount of hot food plates delivered to the affected Tuscaloosa area. We made over 8,000 hot plates, gathered and distributed thousands of canned food items, and distributed hundreds of truckloads full of medical supplies, baby supplies, hygiene supplies, clothing, and toiletries. Even as late as 8:00 pm tonight we were receiving donations from UA alums in Jackson and Nashville, TN. We cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

To our volunteers, thank you for your continued and tireless work. Our efforts are making a difference for those who have lost so much. Please see these important notes regarding tomorrow's operations.
. . .
If someone would like to make a donation to the UA Greek Relief Fund, they may visit https://www.grsconnect.com/rush/rlf/. Your donations will be used to purchase much-needed food and supplies for the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa. (When making a payment, please select "0007 Psi - Alabama" for chapter, for contribution type, please select "Alabama Greek Relief Fund")
. . .
If you or someone you know wishes to ship supplies to Tuscaloosa, please send them to:
Attn: Temporary Emergency Services
1705 15th St.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

And the amazing part is that the University is closed.  No exams (for the most part - students who wish to take some exams to raise their grades have the opportunity to do so later in the summer).  These kids could go home and start their summer.  But they stay and help. 

Please help.  I am sure that most of you already have.  But if you have not, no donation is too small and every penny is appreciated.  There are so many out there who lost everything.