Things You Learn in the Midst of a Hurricane

Three weeks ago I went to sleep knowing a major hurricane-turned-tropical-storm was heading to my city. I expected a night of nonstop rain and maybe some flooding which we'd certainly had before... but I didn't expect to wake up to see most of my city underwater. While my home and belongings were fine, it was a shocking thing to sit in front of the TV hour after hour watching live rescues happen in knee-deep waters, many in areas I usually drive past.

Anyone in Houston can tell you we witnessed so many things in those three days of nonstop rain. A lot of tragedy and heartbreak, but also a great deal of hope. A few things stood out to me during the floods and the aftermath of them over the past few weeks, so I wanted to share a few of them here.

a flooded park a few blocks from our home

(the park dips down so it must have had at least 10 feet of water)

volunteers sorting donations as fast as possible an hour after our church became a distribution center

a volunteer cleans the floors of a home impacted by the flooding during post-flood relief efforts

1. Gratitude breeds empathy, and empathy breeds service.

During the three or so days that the rain continued nonstop over Houston, I remember sitting in my house unable to go anywhere and feeling so strange because what I saw outside my window didn't match what I was seeing on the news. My street didn't even come close to being flooded, while other parts of Houston (even many wealthy parts) were submerged in six feet of water.

You learn a lot about empathy in a situation like that. As you picture what your home would look like if it had taken in water and wonder what you would have done - what you would have tried to rescue, how you would have tried to escape - you start to realize that you were so blessed to be okay when so many others were not. And you learn that the best thing you can do with that gratitude is to help those who were not so lucky.

2. You can always find kindness if you look for it.

I've never been prouder of my city than I was during this storm. It was amazing to see so many people driving out on their own boats and trucks to rescue complete strangers. I've heard so many stories since then about people's selflessness and compassion. And I think in light of all the hardship we'd been through, we needed to be reminded of our capacity for kindness.

Seeing people do awful, unkind things (like loot people's homes during the storm, which yes, sadly happened) can be so discouraging and make you want to stop believing in the goodness of people. But for every bad story, there were so many more stories of hope and kindness. I think that one of the most powerful things we can do when we are faced with a storm of any kind is to look for and to offer kindness. Kindness frees us from discouragement and renews our sense of purpose. I think kindness is what has helped our city start to heal after this storm, so I know it can do the same for every one of us no matter what we go through.

3. God draws closer in the chaos.

I find it interesting that so many people automatically blame God for major tragedies. I mean, I understand the questions. It's only human to wonder why God allows certain things that cause us pain and strife. But I've learned that if we spend all our time blaming God for tragedies, we will surely miss the mercy and grace He pours out in the midst of them.

After hurricane Harvey hit my city, my church opened its doors as a shelter and distribution center and amidst the tragedy and loss, I saw God everywhere. He was in the love of those who brought nonstop donations from every corner of out city. He was in the faithfulness of our church staff and volunteers as they served long hours without complaint. He was in the healing and the compassion and the community that connected those who were sheltered with those who came to lend a helping hand.

I hope that we never get so wrapped up in our small idea of justice that we miss the voice of the One who truly understands grace and compassion and kindness. Out of all the mess and heartbreak, the most beautiful thing is that as we continue to rebuild from this hurricane, God's love is being spread throughout this city. He is birthing hope and life out of tragedy, for that has always been His specialty.

#Christian