This week Hurricane Harvey hit Houston Texas with great devastation. Following heavy rains, rising waters and severe floodings, many individuals, families and around 43,000 members of the various communities were displaced, and this devastation has reportedly left at least 47 known dead. Leading up to the hurricane warnings were issued to people to leave their homes and the area and go to a safe place for refuge and safety. Many did, however, some felt they could find safety in their own homes, hoping the hurricane would pass them by leaving little or no damage. Others left their homes far too late and were caught up in the midst of destruction.
After the hurricane had moved on from various parts of Texas, individuals and families returned to their homes to inspect the aftermath. Some were still wading through waters knee high or even waist high to see much of their belongings had either washed away or had been destroyed.
There are and will be many stories resulting from Hurricane Harvey; stories of escape, waiting on rooftops, rescue by boat and so on. However, those who remain to tell the story have life and hope, a hope to start again. With the right levels of support and resources, they can start to rebuild their lives.
The big lesson I learned from hurricane Katrina is that we have to be thinking about the unthinkable because sometimes the unthinkable happens. ~ Mike Leavitt
Sometimes what we wish won’t happen does and we do need to listen and be wise in situations like these. Property and materials things are not to be equated with life – life once gone is irreplaceable.
Blessed are those who find wisdom… ~ Proverbs 3:13
As we pray this week, let us remember those who stand in need as well as our brothers and sisters in Texas.