{"id":8775,"date":"2014-05-01T01:00:15","date_gmt":"2014-05-01T08:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=8775"},"modified":"2014-05-01T09:06:14","modified_gmt":"2014-05-01T16:06:14","slug":"when-one-member-suffers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/01\/when-one-member-suffers\/","title":{"rendered":"When One Member Suffers . . ."},"content":{"rendered":"

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored,\u00a0all rejoice together”<\/em>\u00a0(1 Cor. 12:26).<\/p>\n

\"storm\"<\/p>\n

When one of our little ones stubs his toe, his whole body hurts along with that toe. If a child has a sliver in his foot, his entire body suffers.<\/p>\n

So it’s not hard to help our children understand how much we all hurt when we see our brothers and sisters in Christ hurting. Like his young body that suffers along with his throbbing toe, the Body of Christ suffers along with its hurting members.<\/p>\n

The tornado in Arkansas this week left some of our brothers and sisters in deep pain. Some lost members of their families — husbands, daddies, sons, daughters — along with everything they owned.\u00a0Because they are our brothers and sisters, we grieve along with them.<\/p>\n

Let’s take this opportunity to help our children learn to love “in deed and\u00a0in truth”.<\/p>\n

Read Matthew 25:35-40 with your children.<\/p>\n

“‘For\u00a0I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you\u00a0gave me drink,\u00a0I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me,\u00a0I was sick and you\u00a0visited me,\u00a0I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And\u00a0the King will answer them,’Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these\u00a0my brothers,\u00a0you did it to me.'”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Help your children understand that when we care for those in need, we are giving to Jesus, who has given so much<\/em> to us.<\/p>\n

Below are links about three Christian families who are suffering as a result of the tornado:<\/p>\n

The Gaffney family lost all their home and possessions:<\/em><\/p>\n

Help for Mayflower, Arkansas Tornado Victims<\/a><\/p>\n

Dan and Kristin Gaffney<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Jeremiah and April Smith lost their two sons and their home:<\/em><\/p>\n

A friend’s account<\/a><\/p>\n

Donations can be sent to ThatChurch, 901 E. Kiehl Ave., Sherwood, AR 72120. I’m sure letters and packages would reach them through this address as well.<\/p>\n

The Rob Tittle family lost their husband\/father and two daughters:<\/em><\/p>\n

News article<\/a><\/p>\n

Emergency fund<\/a><\/p>\n

Condolences and memories on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n

Church address: \u00a0The Bible Church of Little Rock, 19111 Cantrall Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72223, Attn: Tittle Emergency Fund<\/p>\n

(If you are aware of other families who suffered severe loss because of the tornado, please let us know in the comments.)<\/p>\n

Share what you feel is appropriate with your children.<\/strong>\u00a0Then do some brainstorming together as a family. How can\u00a0you\u00a0<\/em>help and encourage these dear families?<\/p>\n