Hope and Help

Hope is more than just a word –

it's a state of being.

It’s a firm belief that

even if you don’t know how,

even if you don’t know when,

God will come through

and better days are ahead.

Life sends rain…

Hope dances in the puddles

until the sun comes out again.

- Holley Gerth

Amidst the loss of life, possessions, treasured time with loved ones, houses, cars, and security after Hurricane Harvey, glimmers of hope and help continue to arise.  People have spent long hours helping box up what can be cleaned, saved, and restored.  Homes have had the sheetrock, insulation, wet flooring, and damaged items removed.  Mounds of discarded items are starting to be picked up by trash trucks to give some semblance to recovery.  As good as it is to have the stack removed, it is bittersweet as irreplaceable items have had to be discarded.  Progress is being made with much more to come in the days and months ahead.  As the first phase of cleanup is winding up in Houston, supplies are being gathered and sent to offer help and hope to the people in Puerto Rico.

Renewed hope and help are still happening because of events that took place during Hurricane Harvey.  During the storm, Brandi Smith, a news reporter for KHOU 11, was with cameraman photographer Mario Sandoval covering events from the North Sam Houston Tollway.  They switched sides of the freeway to continue the coverage and Brandi noticed a semi-truck that was taking on water.  The windshield wipers were going which made her think someone was still inside.  While reporting, she saw a truck pulling a boat pass by.  She flagged it down, ran after the truck, and asked the sheriff’s officers to please check on and rescue the driver.  You could hear the urgency and concern in her voice.  Word of the rescue spread and Ms. Smith, Robert Roberson, and his wife Virginia were invited to meet on the Ellen Show.  After big hugs, Roberson was able to thank Brandi Smith “for saving my life.”  He continued, “She will always be my angel.”  Smith responded, “I’m just so glad I was there, and those deputies were there.  It’s like you said, the Lord placed guardian angels all along the way for you.”  Because of this heartwarming story, Cheerios is donating 50,000 boxes of cereal for Harvey victims.  Ellen presented the Robersons with a $10,000 check to help with recovery expenses and also gave Brandi Smith a $25,000 check to go to the Rebuild Texas fund in honor of her efforts.

Deshaun Watson, rookie quarterback for the Texans, received his first game paycheck recently.  With Houston still in the process of recovering from the flood, he decided to split the amount of money in his check into thirds and share it with three of the cafeteria workers inside NRG Stadium who had lost their homes and cars due to Hurricane Harvey.  As he presented the checks, he told the women, “For what y’all do for us every day and never complain.  I really appreciate y’all.  I wanted to give y’all my first game check to help out y’all in some type of way…Hopefully that’s good to help you get back on your feet, and if there’s anything else y’all need, I’m always here to help.”  Deshaun Watson knows the impact that a gift of hope and help can make because he and his family were the grateful recipients of a house that was built by Habitat for Humanity.

Glimmers of hope continue as … one last box is filled and moved to a safe place for storage, the final board is dry so rebuilding can begin, a once thought destroyed item and picture have been restored, longtime friends along with new ones continue to help with the process, contractors are being secured, housing is being offered, and there is dancing in the puddles because the Son is shining, providing, and with us.   

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish.

Psalm 9:18

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:5

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Sharing Joys and Sorrows

“Shared joy is a double joy;

shared sorrow is half a sorrow.”

Swedish Proverb

One of many things I looked forward to when we moved was unpacking boxes, or as Larry would tell you many boxes, of toys we had saved from when our boys were young.  The toys had been stored by the back wall in the attic of our last house and were not as easy to access as I would have liked.  Thus, when we moved, I was excited to unpack, clean, and have the toys ready for the grandkids to enjoy. 

Recently, Mary and Daniel have been playing with a plastic golf set on the back patio.  There are three animals that have enlarged mouths to putt the ball into.  We set the animals up right next to each other in order to increase the chances of the ball going inside one of the animals and not rolling off into the thick grass.  Since they are hitting the ball from a short distance, they try to make a hole in one each time.  To say Daniel is excited when his ball goes in on the first stroke is an understatement.  He jumps, cheers, and is ready to try again.  Amazingly, Daniel is equally excited when Mary’s ball goes in the first time.  The cheers and excitement are the same as if he had made the shot.  He also shares in the disappointment when either ball takes more than one stroke to go into the animal’s mouth.  Competition has no place in his game at this point.  His pure response reminds and convicts me of what the Bible teaches about rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep. 

Hurricane Harvey has given us the opportunity to live out this scripture.  As we have rejoiced with those whose homes were spared from the flood water, these coming days and months will be ones to weep with, come alongside, pray for, and help those whose homes have flooded.  This race is not a 50 yard dash, but rather a marathon event.  It's time to "Get Ready.  Set.  Go!" 

And thank you God for showing and speaking your truth so clearly through children.  May we be quick to listen, hear, and put into practice what you are asking us to do.

“There is a time for everything,

     and a season for every activity under the heavens;

          a time to weep and a time to laugh,

     a time to mourn and a time to dance,”

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 68:19

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

Galatians 6:2

A Lifeline

Hurricane Harvey offered the city of Houston and surrounding areas an opportunity to experience the gifts of help, unity, and concentrating on a common cause.  One of the touching stories that continues to resurface is the video of the elderly man caught in the flood waters in his SUV.  People that witnessed the situation immediately began to form a human chain.  At that point in time, it didn’t matter their ethnicity, political preference, religion, or job status.  Regardless of commonality or cross differences, they all worked together.  If at any time the chain had broken, it would have been almost impossible to rescue the man safely.   Steve Hartman of NBC News, New York reported, “In this case, the chain happens.  When Mother Nature’s at its worst human nature is at its best.  The challenge will be as the flood waters recede, will we still be able to love at these same record levels."

What a great reminder of the gift of eternal life that we are offered through Jesus.  When we were at our worst, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that we could be rescued and offered a lifeline to God. 

This past Sunday, we celebrated the decision our grandson made to ask Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.  Acts 2:21 states “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-10 promises that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”  As a statement of his decision, David was baptized this past Sunday morning.

As we remember God’s love, presence, and provision during these days, may we reflect His light and lead others to Him so they too may be rescued and saved.  May He help us wash away all that divides, pollutes, and makes us less than our best.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

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