After Mom’s race ended in Joplin, we drove around a bit where the tornado had struck four months ago. It was so very sad. It was almost unreal to see the damage that had happened. Although some buildings are being rebuilt right now, there is so much more damage to be taken care of.

We saw lots of the foundations of houses that had been destroyed.

Notice the OK on the side of this house. This means that the people who lived there are fine.

These people must have had a sense of humor, setting up furniture where it used to be in their house.

This was a school. All the windows were broken and part of the roof collapsed.

This was probably the saddest for me. It was the St. John’s hospital in Joplin. I cannot begin to imagine how awful it must have been!

There was rubble and bits of glass from broken windows everywhere.

This cross was placed in the middle of all the desolation. I thought that was really neat.

It is so incredibly sad to think about how many people lost everything, including their houses, possessions, loved ones, and even the many who lost their lives. It’s a sobering reminder to me about how fragile life is. How, in a matter of seconds, every physical possession can be taken away and lives are lost.

This made me think of the verses from psalm 103, “As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place know it no more. BUT the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:15-19)

How comforting it is to know that God is sovereign over all things, including disasters like tornadoes! His love is everlasting and will never fail.