Counting blessings

As all of you who live in East Tennessee may know that the weather has been hotter than blazes of late. The high in White Pine Saturday reached (according to the weather station at the Fire Hall) 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Nicole and I have been fortunate to find ways to keep cool and comfortable. We have learned that this isn't the case for all. I received word Sunday that my parents, brother, aunts and several cousins may be without power for nearly a week after some very nasty storms swept through the part of Central Ohio where they live and did enough damage to the power supply that Ohio Power is shipping in crews from out of State. My Dad told me yesterday that he and my mother happened to be out when these storms hit and that the wind nearly lifted their car off the ground and that they are lucky to be alive. I dutifully replied that we had hundred degree heat, but no power problems and that they were welcome here if they could make it.


My Dad helps manage a group home for mentally challenged men. He said "I have to take care of these guys, they don't have anyone else." He said that power was out all over town and that he had to drive the residents all the way to Zanesville (about 30 miles) in order that they might have something to eat in a cool place-all of their refrigerated food was rotting. Newspaper reports confirmed Dad's account, although it does appear that the situation has improved somewhat since he and I talked.

Like everyone else, I am prone to complain about the heat and the high light bill it seems destined to bring about-but we have had a cool house and cool places to go, good food to eat, and a refuge from the rising thermometer. I am reminded of those who do not have such a refuge, and that I am grateful that neither Nicole or myself were caught in those storms.


One thing that this summer is teaching me is to appreciate the things I have and to remember those who do not have, and to appreciate the opportunity and the calling that God has given and is giving to me.