If you were here I would greet you with a smile, a cup of Sunrise In Door County Coffee, a chair and a toasted English Muffin. But since that can't happen today, I will greet you with a salutation, and a wish for happiness.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
Hurricane Harvey sure has wreaked havoc on the Gulf Coast of the United States and has done enough damage so far for five storms. Living where we do in the Midwest, we can only imagine what the people in the wake of the storm have gone through and are going through. The evening news is showing the devastation and the sullen faces of those in true peril. Of course we are praying for those stalwart people enduring this storm and it's aftermath.
But, what the news is also showing is the compassion of people. The love of others. Race does not matter. Some people with boats are rescuing others along with a few of their possessions and maybe the family pet. They are working day and night extracting people from flooded homes and at times with risk to themselves. I saw three trucks loaded with generator powered flood lights heading down the interstate with signs on the back saying. "We're coming Texas". Local television stations are seeking donations for the flood victims. High schools are collecting non perishable food and clothing.
I have watched a couple of the boat rescues on television. The rescuers never asked the victims " What political party do you support?" There is just people helping people. The shelters are crowded with every race, age and gender. And although no one wants to be there because of the storm, they seem relieved to be safe and with others. Statues just don't seem to matter right now and are certainly not in the news.
At a time when I have questioned the values of Americans these days, I see the natural compassion and heroics God would expect from His creation taking place in the Gulf Coast. I would never even try to say that God caused this storm to unite a country. I can't down play the loss of life. Each life is now being counted and someone is grieving. I'll bet that others are alongside the grieving to comfort them. Celebrities and football teams are donating large amounts of cash. Those who have very little are also giving from the heart. Has a storm started to make America Great Again? There is a human storm of love and compassion living in the Gulf Coast and a wave of love and compassion on it's way. Let's use this tragedy as a springboard to unite in love and strength to live as God intended. Let's show Him that He can bless America again. I see Him at work through others. I see His example of sacrifice and love in the unselfish sharing and heroic actions of a nation helping one another.
God Bless.
Marty
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