Katrina
I know that there are several other blogs that more eloquently berate the slothful response of the government or the amazing communal response of those in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, etc. I don't want to address either situation. I know that most of the people that read this are Christians or sympathetic to Christianity because you have either put a link on your site, or you find me via someone who has. So, my request and my address is to you is this: Pray. When you think you've been inundated with the images and emotions of the horror in New Orleans, keep praying.
I work with Joel and, like him, the tragedy has touched my life in a way that I have never imagined. The range of emotions experienced by the people that call our offices are from rage at inaction to tears because we have, finally, been able to offer some assistance. I have sat in my dark, bleak cubicle with some reminders of things that are lovely (i.e. my wife and kids...and, of course, the Cardinals), but these things don't ease the pressure that builds behind my eyes as I answer another call to offer another perspective of the same tragedy. I hear a father staying in his son's dorm room. The rest of his several-member family was forced to leave the room because there were too many people and the facilities could not support them. Or there's Mrs. Boudreaux, with her fitting French Quarter-sounding name, she tells me that her husband is aware of the damage to their house because he is a police officer in New Orleans and has returned home while attempting to maintain some semblance of peace. Speaking with her reminds me of talking to my mom when she was worried about my dad during a recent surgery. I respond to her quaking voice attempting to reassure her that everything will be okay.
In an attempt to ease some of the emotional strain, my wife suggested I make a list of just a few people with whom I have spoken and bring them home to pray for them. I have found that if it is by my phone at work it's easier to keep my calm after an angry caller if I just glance at it and pray that God will keep them safe and give them supernatural strength. I would encourage anyone who is tired of seeing the water and waste and crying mothers: before you change the channel to whatever show or game that helps you escape from the images say a prayer. It doesn't have to be a theologically based expansion of Moses' blessing to the Israelites (Numbers 6:25ff.), but just ask God to strengthen them and bring peace. I'm not one for idolizing those who have taken people into their home. If this is your way to minister, go for it. Demands on daily life are still there even through this tragedy. On that note, this guy I went to high school with is in Baton Rouge starting on his doctorate in history. He just started this semester. When he heard how many people needed somewhere to stay, he opened up his one bedroom apartment to a couple of families totaling 13 people. That humbles and amazes me.
Pray for him, too.
[more inside]
I work with Joel and, like him, the tragedy has touched my life in a way that I have never imagined. The range of emotions experienced by the people that call our offices are from rage at inaction to tears because we have, finally, been able to offer some assistance. I have sat in my dark, bleak cubicle with some reminders of things that are lovely (i.e. my wife and kids...and, of course, the Cardinals), but these things don't ease the pressure that builds behind my eyes as I answer another call to offer another perspective of the same tragedy. I hear a father staying in his son's dorm room. The rest of his several-member family was forced to leave the room because there were too many people and the facilities could not support them. Or there's Mrs. Boudreaux, with her fitting French Quarter-sounding name, she tells me that her husband is aware of the damage to their house because he is a police officer in New Orleans and has returned home while attempting to maintain some semblance of peace. Speaking with her reminds me of talking to my mom when she was worried about my dad during a recent surgery. I respond to her quaking voice attempting to reassure her that everything will be okay.
In an attempt to ease some of the emotional strain, my wife suggested I make a list of just a few people with whom I have spoken and bring them home to pray for them. I have found that if it is by my phone at work it's easier to keep my calm after an angry caller if I just glance at it and pray that God will keep them safe and give them supernatural strength. I would encourage anyone who is tired of seeing the water and waste and crying mothers: before you change the channel to whatever show or game that helps you escape from the images say a prayer. It doesn't have to be a theologically based expansion of Moses' blessing to the Israelites (Numbers 6:25ff.), but just ask God to strengthen them and bring peace. I'm not one for idolizing those who have taken people into their home. If this is your way to minister, go for it. Demands on daily life are still there even through this tragedy. On that note, this guy I went to high school with is in Baton Rouge starting on his doctorate in history. He just started this semester. When he heard how many people needed somewhere to stay, he opened up his one bedroom apartment to a couple of families totaling 13 people. That humbles and amazes me.
Pray for him, too.
[more inside]
