The hills of Tennessee

I live in East Tennessee.  The volunteer state.  Recently we have been dealing with drought and wild fires.  Last night the fires reached Gatlinburg.  Gatlinburg is a resort city that is visited by tourists year round as an access point to the Great Smoky Mountains. 


My heart is so heavy as I write this.  I will lose no property in these fires.  I have no loved ones that are effected by this tragedy, and yet I am moved to tears by the loss that is occurring in these beloved hills.  I am contemplating what this means.  What is the bigger picture?  What is the Why? 


On a larger scale our nation has so many horrible things going on right now.  So much anger and venom being blasted around by "them".  "They" don't know what we are dealing with.  "They" are so horrible.  "They" only want what's best for them!  We are One Nation!  We are one people.  We all want for good things. 


Do not focus your thoughts solely on yourself.  Look at the bigger picture.  What is the Need? 


These fires came without warning.  There was no way to plan, to protect yourself from them. We can not put our hope in earthly things.  People have lost everything, but you know what?  The sun came up today.  Blue skies and sunshine fill the world with hope, they may not be visible through the smoke and clouds but they are there. 


I am a Christian, my hope comes from the Lord.  There is a verse that keeps popping into my head today. 


Psalm 121 1-8
I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.  The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.