It has been a somber week in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The Katrina-esque scope of the damage is hard to take in. Unless one has been through such a devastating event, it is impossible to comprehend. As "onlookers" we can pray, remember those who are suffering and will be for some time to come, and give to relief efforts as we are able.

As my friend Debbie said this evening, such circumstances can also spark natural and stimulating conversation starters such as, "If you knew your home would face the potential of being destroyed, what items would you save from it?" and progress from there to talk about what is most important to people--things that are of eternal significance.

These massive natural disasters bind us together as we measure the depth of human suffering, sympathize with those who are angry and frustrated, mourn with those who have experienced immeasurable loss, and think about how we  might respond in a similar situation. We watch the news, knowing that it can only scrape the surface in depicting the scope of the loss, yet weeping with those who weep. We wake in the night and utter a prayer, grateful to be in a warm bed, safe in our homes when so very many are not.