As we all watched the disaster in Japan, we were reminded of the tsunami disaster in 2005. At that time I wrote the following article. It is offered again here in the hope that it may be of help.

Bringing us Home

“I was heartbroken watching the clips of the tsunami and all the people who are being affected by it. I was wondering what words of wisdom you might have when stuff like this happens.” These words were written to me from a friend and they got me wondering. What could I possibly say in the face of this situation? And then I remembered; it is not my job to figure it out but rather to let it be answered for me by the One Who truly knows. As that thought crossed my mind my eyes landed on the box of Wisdom from A Course in Miracles Cards that sits on my kitchen counter. My son was busy running his train on the counter next to the box, so I asked him to pull a card out of the box. As he did, I asked him to ask God for an answer for mommy. He did and this is the card he read to me, “…the Holy Spirit sees the world as a teaching device for bringing you home.” (Text p. 80)

That thought hit me between the eyes. It is so easy for us to feel overwhelmed or helpless in the case of such disasters but that feeling does not help anyone. Each event in our world becomes an opportunity to bring us closer to awakening to the truth of our oneness — our true home. Therefore, this particular event gives us an opportunity to take it personally — because it is personal, it is about us recognizing our oneness. This does not mean that we fly to Southeast Asia, but we do see all those in need as our family who needs our support. That may be done with donations but most importantly with our prayers and the way we hold them in our thoughts. They don’t need pity but rather our strength to hold them in light and love — to remember the Christ for them. To remember for them that they are as God created them.

This crisis becomes an opportunity for us to see where we dwell — are we focused on fear or love? If we are sitting in sadness and feelings of impotence, then we are stuck in fear and we need to look at that and ask for help to lift us into love. As we focus our minds on compassion and support for all those in need, then we will be doing the greatest thing we can do — we will be proactive in love. It is love that can move mountains and calm the storms of life — for it is love that reminds us of our eternal link with God.

In the 23rd psalm we read, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For You are with me …” It may seem like many are walking through death and destruction right now, but God is there, too. We need to be the bringers of that message for those who are so overwhelmed by the despair. We have a mighty job to do; we must be the bearers of love right now. Whatever you are thinking right now, remember love is the answer; whatever fear or challenge you may be facing, love is the answer; whatever crisis in the world, love is the answer. When love becomes the answer for all seeming despair, then we will all be “home.”