Other than the death of loved ones, this has been the most excruciating and emotionally painful 7 days of my life. 42 inches of rain coming down on top of my neighborhood. Wondering if we are going to flood. Wondering if we should get out before it does. Seeing people say its never flooded here before but it did this time, and wondering if we are next. Calls and emails from clients with questions I can't answer. Calls and emails from clients with the one question I can answer but don't want to (no, you don't have flood insurance). Feeling for thousands of fellow Houstonians who lost much or all, and are functionally homeless. Knowing what is ahead for our region.
And yet, seeing, feeling, experiencing the Human Condition. Love, patience, goodness mercy, joy, kindness. Recognize this list? People taking it upon themselves to help each other, some at personal risk of life. I am proud to be a Texan, Houstonian, Believer. Everything dissolved into the least common denominator. The Human Condition. And its contradictions. Our differences went down the drain before any of the water did. It started 7 days ago tonight, and will be going for 7 months plus. 30+ people died. That's incredibly sad. The whole city was shut down, and will be crippled for months. But there is another page to this story. And its built by people. People who are made Good. And He is fine using us as his tools for The Good.
If this had been made as a movie, we would have said, that's cool, but it can't happen. Eau contraire.
Its not over, but the storm has not defined us. It has exposed us and refined us. Psalm 46 tells us of God's mighty strength, our refuge. our protection. His power and majesty. The river of foam and roaring, the river of peace, gladness, protection. Water is very dangerous. We have seen it destroy and kill this week. But He lifts His voice, and the earth melts. He tells us to be still. Know. I am God. Is that good enough for us? Can we use this to His Glory? Can we be good to others as He is good to us? Can we make that last longer than a few months or a year? Maybe we can. Bigger question, bigger challenge. Can we spread it beyond our own hurricane ravaged slice of earth? Actually no, we can't. But we can sing a song, cry a cry. And be still, for the God of Jacob is our fortress. What have we learned in the past 7 days? In 365 days, we will have at least something of an answer.
