Three Things Parents and Kids Can Do About Hurricane Sandy

The sun is shining here in Colorado Springs this afternoon, but as you all know, Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the East Coast. Forecasters are suggesting the developing storm is of epic proportions and will paralyze life for days to come for those in the impacted areas.

Natural disasters are among the most peculiar of all human challenges, aren’t they?

Simply put, we’re defenseless against the cyclical and sometimes catastrophic reality of our environment. In a day and age when man seems to have conquered so many of life’s difficulties, it’s still impossible to tame the earth’s weather, be it the wind, the waves or the rain.

It doesn’t work.

However, there are practical ways to help our children deal with challenges of this size and scope, even if they’re thousands of miles from the center of the storm.

Here are three:

1. Pray

We often hear people say, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you.” But what does that mean, anyway? Tonight, it would be a good to pray as a family for those without heat and power on the East Coast. Remind your children that the Lord listens to very specific requests.

2. Prepare

It’s always appropriate to remind our children that life is fluid and so it’s wise to make a plan for the unpredictable. Talk about your own family’s plan. Do you have a few gallons of fresh water in the garage? How would you fare without power for several days?

3. Assure

A colleague of mine was driving his son to school this morning and his 7-year-old boy became alarmed when he heard the radio newscaster reporting on the hurricane. Don’t assume that your children can reason or rationalize like an adult. There’s no chance that Hurricane Sandy (or any other hurricane) is going to hit Colorado, but when the boy heard about the storm spawning tornadoes, his little mind assumed they could easily blow west. His father assured him they would be OK. Stress God’s sovereignty and how He looks after every person and thing within His creation. “In His hand is the life of every living thing. (Job 12:10)

If you’re living in the affected areas and have time to drop us a note, please let me know how you’re faring and holding up. Your friends at Focus are praying for you and all those in Sandy’s path.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, pro-life October 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura