The opening line of a tale of two cities is “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times” and Charles Dickens must have foreseen how transcendent that line would be in life, in love, in triumph and in tragedy.
In these devastating times, with the Queensland floods drowning out New Year’s joy and forcing innocent people to hold on to values for loss of everything else, I believe if Dickens had written the line today he would have meant that at our worst, our greatest strength, our greatest friends, our greatest love is revealed. That’s the immovable, unshakeable formula that empowers people to weather any storm.
This week I’ve been touched by tales of love that conquer any and all adversary. With the stories of the Queensland floods being inescapable, audiences across the country watched on with heavy hearts and sunken spirits, waiting for a little ray of sunshine that would help reignite a fighting spirit in victims of this disaster. With the promise of a new sunrise, some still looked to see new light.
On channel 7’s Sunrise, a story was aired on a couple that had set their wedding for this weekend. This couple chose to dance in the rain and still celebrate their big day, thrilled to have each other having had their love confirmed in their loss. Rain, hail or shine - this couple found a home in each other’s hearts, shelter in each other’s love and greener pastures in their future together.
Love conquered not just in marital love but in brotherly bonds also. This case had a more tragic ending. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8195370/save-my-brother-first-said-teen-victim A 13-year-old Toowomba boy named Jordan Rice was swept to his death minutes after pleading to rescue workers to save his brother first in spite of being unable to swim and afraid of water. In an act of selflessness, humility and unconditional love, this little hero put his brother’s life first, leaving a legacy of love for his younger brother to eternally carry with him. Biblically, Jesus preached that “greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” This little man did just that because even at thirteen he knew the power of love. The flash floods swept him and his mother away. They were seen clinging for life on a nearby tree branch but the force was too strong and they were carried to their fate.
Steve and Sandy Matthews lived and died together. Sandy Matthews, trapped behind a fridge was almost rescued by her husband Steve, when a wall collapsed and swept these soulmates away. They were together as parents, as lovers, in good times and bad, but love meant that not even death could separate them.
The tales are increasingly tragic and I’m appealing to anyone that reads this to show new love. Love that rains a new sense of positivity over the victims of the Queensland floods. Spread a love that reaches out to strangers. Share a love that unites us all. Give love that somehow helps rebuild the lives of those who have had their spirits drowned by these flash floods. Let’s overwhelm Queensland with a different type of inundation – a flood of generosity, that shows that even in the worst of times, the best in people can be brought out.
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