“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:30-31
In the past two weeks we have experienced multiple storms and natural disasters across our wonderful country. Hurricanes moved through the Gulf of Mexico, and fires rage across much of California. We also learned the weather-related term “derecho.” A derecho is a large, sustained wind event. This past week the people of Des Moines, Iowa, experienced hurricane force winds, well over 100 mph, that brought great damage to neighborhoods, businesses, and farms.
Ray Drake and his two sisters have lived in Des Moines for many years. Ray is confined to a wheelchair. When the derecho came, it took down the four large trees that surrounded their home. They reached out to their friends, asking to borrow a chainsaw. When Doug Applegate came to the house, he told Ray and his sisters, “You are going to need more than a chainsaw.”
Doug decided to help. He made a few calls and the next day, the 30 members of the Roosevelt high school football team showed up at the Drake’s home to help. With saws and muscle, they began to work, clearing the damage. It took most of the day, but the damage and mess caused by the storm was gone.
In difficult times, like the hurricanes in Louisiana, windstorms in Iowa, or the storms that so often affect Oklahoma, it is hard to know where to help. Doug Applegate and the Roosevelt high school football team have demonstrated that when we combine our talents, passions and kindness, we can make a great difference, even in the midst of overwhelming loss. When we offer love in the face of misfortune, it provides hope to those affected. In moments of devastation, this is how we love our neighbors.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
