Compassion's Response to Nature's Power

Who can comprehend the eruption of power and the sheer force that sent the most devastating tsunami in history streaking across the Indian Ocean at jetliner speed on Christmas night?

The energy shifted the geographic position of an island, moved the axis of the entire earth and generated walls of water that stole life from over 200,000 people by the time the final toll is known.

Possibly it is my age, but I no longer ask "Why?" when something like this occurs.

My mind turns more naturally to "What now?"

One fact is clear: our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world need our help with the basics--water, shelter, food, medical care and most of all hope. All cost.

If you would like to help, check out the websites of these organizations:

Oxfam http://www.oxfamamerica.org

World Vision http://www.WorldVision.org

UNICEF http://www.unicef.org

Each of these well-managed assistance and development agencies has a long and respectable history of delivering relief, compassion and hope to suffering people.

Begin 2005 by reaching out to someone you likely will never meet, but who will be forever grateful for your care.

Compassion, raw, human compassion may be the only force more powerful than even an earthquake like this one.