Teach me to touch

When we read of catastrophes, how should we act? It's a year since Tsunami now and how are we reacting? Are we reacting?
This was a year of trial for us personally as a family - in October 2004 I closed down my 15-year old practice; a week later our house burned down; in February our gorgeous Kuvasz "Kimba" was hit and killed by a train; in November I hit a wild Boar at 180Km./hr. on the Autobahn - I survived, thanks be to God, (the piggy didn't). It was a year of lawyers, of humbling, of a fight for survival the like of which I personally have never before had to face. But at the end of it all I can say that I've learned a few new tunes in the last 15 months : "I will survive", "It is well with my soul", "what a friend we have in Jesus",
"What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would give a lamb.
If I were a wise man, I would play my part.
But what can I give Him? .....Give my heart.".

But still all that was NOTHING to compare with the catastrophes of the last year in Asia, or in New Orleans.
I've been in fear of losing my home in my childhood and in adult life, but never homeless.
I've been down, but never hopeless.
I've been in pain but it was healable and not a never ending agony.
I've been fraught with mourning for loved ones - but only one at a time. Never all of my family in one fell swoop.
Thank you Lord Jesus for your comfort, your healing hand, your shining hope of better times in a home you've built for me.
Teach me Lord to share with others all I have and to get out of my comfort into the real world of pain and suffering. Teach me to touch.