We have all been sobered by what happened in Paris yesterday. It came totally out of the blue, even those charged with keeping their eyes on possible terrorist threats “heard no chatter” about what was about to take place. It has been called the deadliest violence to hit France since World War II. The aftermath has been incredible, PARIS on lock-down, FRENCH borders closed, and people ordered to stay in their homes and businesses. It all sounds frightening and horrific. The first stories and accounts always are….
Whenever something like this happens, my mind instantly goes to this quote from Mr. Rogers. I simply love it. It’s perfect advice for when we feel the need to panic or to be afraid about the circumstances in the world that we have no control over. “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” That is the hope of the world, those who are and were willing to sacrifice something to help a neighbor, family member, and in the end the greater good of humanity. There is nothing more beautiful than someone willing to sacrifice a part of themselves. Mothers and fathers, teachers, doctors and nurses, first responders are all great examples and when Christ did it, it was enough to build an entire world religion on. Good things happen when there are still those in society willing to help, sacrifice and do more for others. THAT is why we’re passionate about being prepared. The stories of people helping always come, they ALWAYS come. We have been studying the horrible tornadoes that hit Joplin, Missouri a few years back and we were amazed how quick they were to help each other. In one story, an eye-witness told how she watched people literally climb from the rubble and, with out thought, go straight to the next house to see if anyone needed help. Within hours, people were out with their own farm equipment cleaning off streets and cleaning up rubble. They didn’t wait for the government or anyone else. They saw themselves as the solution to the problem and that was that. That is how we want to be. We want to be one of the people who are helping not a victim. Don’t you? Isn’t that really why we store a little extra food and supplies so we can make ours and other’s burdens light. We never know when these events will happen or happen to us but we do know that if we are prepared, we shall not fear. We are “to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all…”Joseph Smith, “Times and Seasons,” March 15, 1842
That is the hope of humanity, deciding now that WE WILL BE THE HELPERS.
Here are some ideas on how to be helpers today. (If you have children that have been effected by what they have seen or heard, empowering them with a way to help can be very comforting.)
- Pray for those in Paris. No matter what your religion is, praying is helpful.
- Do something to get prepared around your house. Have children put shoes under their beds, grab a flashlight, or check your 72-hour kits.
- Donate to your local food bank. It won’t make it to Paris but it does help those in your own community that need help.
- Volunteer at local homeless shelters or soup kitchens (especially the morning of Thanksgiving)
- Write letters of gratitude to Marines.
- Donate toys to Toys for Tots
- Go through old clothes and toys and donate them to your local Salvation Army or Deseret Industries.
