In wake of nature's fury, give gifts of thanks.

Byline: FROM HEART TO HEART By Philip Shoenherr For The Register-Guard

The scenes of destruction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina can have a powerful impact upon us. The people of New Orleans, Biloxi and Gulfport are seen wading through water looking at what once were their homes. They appear not to know what to do next.

Meanwhile, we stand on dry ground and live in stable and comfortable homes. Are we better people than the hurricane victims? I believe the answer to this question is `no.'

We who live in this beautiful Willamette Valley are blessed, while those in the Mississippi Delta region suffer. We are beneficiaries of grace, undeserved love. I think we ought to emerge from viewing the destruction of Hurricane Katrina with an attitude of humble thanksgiving.

God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. I believe that none of us can take credit for the good things we enjoy. We have every reason to be thankful to God for his goodness in providing for our needs. But what about our fellow Americans in the South who have lost everything to the hurricane and flooding?

God's word points out that God ultimately is the supplier of all, from seed for the farmer to food for human beings, and we who remain unscathed by nature's fury can reach out to those less fortunate with generous offers of gifts and service.

When they receive what we offer out of thanksgiving, they too will have a reason to be thankful. God loves us and also cares for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I believe God wants to communicate his love and care through thankful people like us.

A Lutheran hymn is so very appropriate now:

Oh, may we never with thankless heart

Forget from whom our blessings flow!

Still, Lord, your heavenly grace impart;

Still teach us what to you we owe.

Lord, may our lives with fruit divine

Return thy care and prove us thine.

Often we associate thankfulness with the `things' that we have. It would be logical to think that a person who has more things would be more thankful and a poor person would be less thankful. In fact, many people with fewer things express thankfulness more readily than those who are rich.

I believe that the poor of the world can possess a perspective on life that recognizes God as the provider of everything they have. They are grateful even for the simplest of items. The poor are often better at appreciating people. This reminds me that families, friends, neighbors and co-workers ought to be seen as genuine gifts from God.

Having things can be nice; but being involved with people is more valuable. Reflecting upon the scenes from the Gulf Coast, I see so many victims of the storm eager to find family members and friends. Their focus isn't on things; it is on people. May this tragedy lead us to value the relationships we have with people and with God. Because of those relationships, we have ample reason to be thankful.

The Rev. Philip Schoenherr is pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Eugene. This column is coordinated by Two Rivers Interfaith Ministries, a network of more than 35 religious and spiritual traditions in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, visit www.interfaitheugene.org or call 344-5693.