Hurricane Harvey Blessings

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains.” – C.S. Lewis

Elex Michaelson, a Los Angeles reporter for KTRK, was sent to Houston to help cover Hurricane Harvey.  Not knowing how he would be received, he was somewhat apprehensive about coming.  Once on the ground, Michaelson was greatly appreciated for his willingness to help cover stories.  On his way back to California, he penned some thoughts about what he saw in the Houston area.  “When we all focus on helping…not hurting each other…the human race is capable of incredible things.  We got to see what that looks like this week.  You taught us all around the country about selflessness, kindness, fight, grit, compassion, and unity of purpose.”  Adversity has a way of making one better or bitter.  May the ways we continue to choose to help our friends and neighbors bring out the best in all of us.

Just a few of the Hurricane Harvey Blessings I have observed or read about this week:

* Being blessed with an extra day of helping out with the Labor Day holiday where many chose to labor rather than rest.

* Churches all over the city setting up ways to help and minister to the people whose homes were/are flooded

* People taking vacation days in order to help

* Plethora of ways people are expressing love, care, and appreciation to loved ones, friends, and people that are now new friends

* New parents were able to find a safe route to make it to the hospital in time for their daughter to be born

* One of our Bible Study leaders taking water and Gatorade to the DPS officers, from San Antonio and San Marcos, who were patrolling and directing traffic on the corner of their street.  Tim also offered the use of their restrooms when needed. 

* A couple hosting a pot luck dinner for their neighbors, as a way to meet each other, be a team, and share their Hurricane Harvey stories. 

* A teacher, her three kids, and friends making signs and setting up a table in the neighborhood to collect backpacks, lunch kits, and school supplies for kids whose home flooded.   Some gave money so they shopped for the additional supplies that would be needed.  The items will be distributed at the Katy schools so they can give those to their students.  I love how Sara models compassion and thoughtfulness to her kids and gives them a chance to participate in the process.

* People adopting a classroom in order to help teachers replace supplies they lost in the schools that flooded

* A garage door specialist driving around town and repairing broken doors without charging a fee

* TIRR Memorial Hermann and the Cajun Navy teaming together to fly a much needed medication to a family by lowering it from a rope from a helicopter

* Service above self – Jim McInvale

* Since school has been out for two weeks, high school and junior high students have helped serve in shelters and been mentored and given the opportunity to help with the clean up process.  They are participating in things they do on mission trips right here in their home city and neighborhood.

* People serving for days on end to help rip up carpets, knock out sheetrock and insulation, cleaning items and packing them for storage, and removing furniture that was ruined for friends and for people they have just met, just because there is a need.

* Cooler temperatures to refresh the body and help lower the humidity

* Free childcare at church so adults could work in their home or help others where needed

* Workday for the children at church so they can be part of the response team by writing notes, drawing pictures, and making snack bags for the people who are helping

* People being the hands and feet of Jesus

* Children playing “Rescue” in the park so they can help people

* People washing clothes, cleaning and packing up items, taking meals, setting up water stands, gathering items for temporary homes, providing supplies…

* People from other cities and states sending teams to help in the relief effort both now and scheduled dates in the future

* Places for people to relocate becoming available because a friend knows a friend

* Athletes from opposing teams helping deliver supplies

* “Finding that there is more love in Houston than water!”

* Business leaders giving their employees days off to help be part of the cleanup and challenging other business owners to do the same
* Mattress Mack opening his furniture stores as shelters

* HEB ordering what they knew people wanted and needed, leaving other things until later, so they had room for extra essentials on their trucks

* J. J. Watt’s desire to help Houston and other cities recover from Hurricane Harvey in order to help with immediate and future recovery needs - because of J. J.’s reputation, integrity, work ethic, and trustworthiness, the goal of $200,000 is now exceeding $29,000,000!

* Worshiping with our church family Sunday morning where God spoke through the words of every song, prayer, scripture, and message – it was such a God honoring service, with receptive hearts…the way we need to prepare and come every week

During these days, may we clearly hear God’s voice as he shouts how much He loves, cares, and provides for us.  And as we listen, hear, and take to heart what He says, may He use us to be the helping hands that bring about healing, restoration, hope, and peace for the people in our city, state, and world in the days and years to come.

I waited patiently for the LORD;

     he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

     out of the mud and mire;

he set my feet on a rock

     and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

     a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the LORD

     and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40:1-3

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.

I Corinthians 16:13-14

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2