I’m writing this in the public library on March 15, the fourth day after I had to leave my home because a tornado damaged my apartment building. I should be thankful that no one was injured and my losses were minimal. The problem is that I suddenly had to find a place to live. Not knowing if I will have to move permanently or can return home some time is giving me high anxiety. My speech is confused. My hands shake. I forget what I am doing or where I am going. I don’t sleep more than a few hours and wake up with my mind filled with worries.

At this point, Jesus’ words to his disciples are meaningless to me: “I tell you, do not worry about your life (Luke 12:22). Instead I am far more in tune with the people in Exile taken from their homes and all they knew to be exiled to Babylon. I recall the psalm, “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.” My experience has given me a small sliver of understanding of what it’s like to be suddenly uprooted. I think about the millions of Ukrainians who were driven from their homes by an invasion they did nothing to cause.

Lord have mercy on the many, many people who in an instance find themselves homeless and in exile. Let us pray for all such people and give them such aid as we are able to bring them comfort in turmoil.

Read Psalm 137 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne