We were some of the lucky ones who were high and dry. Not that it wasn’t scary, listening to the endless rain, watching the retention pond in front of our house crest at the very top daring to come the rest of the way toward our homes. We lived for days staring at the news on TV and our friends’ posts on Facebook. We had two displaced family members staying with us, so I stayed busy cooking and caring for my increased household (including two extra dogs). My heart broke as I read post after post of family and friends who were being evacuated. By this age, I have a lifetime of family and friends spanning decades of ministry and work across the greater Houston area, Fort Bend, Corpus and beyond. I just felt so very helpless. But there were countless out there who were doing just that…helping. In every way imaginable. It was incredible to watch. Unforgettable.
After the worst of Harvey had passed, the rain finally moved on, and the sky began to clear, it was amazing to see our city, our communities, our people rally together, doing whatever it took to make sure every last person was safe, cared for, was getting shelter, was getting help. In the days since, strangers have become friends, cleaning out houses, leading teams, finding needs, baking, gathering donations, shopping, praying, giving in whatever ways, big or small, that they can. Our city has been united in such a way that I have never seen before.
While there is still so much to be done…students having to double up in schools that didn’t have damage, myriad of homes, churches, schools, businesses to be rebuilt, cars to be replaced, livelihoods to be recouped…there is a prevailing attitude throughout our city. Thankfulness. Even when so many have lost so much. I have heard it every day on the news…people thanking God for their life, for their family. My heart breaks for what has been loss. But I am so abundantly proud of the heart of our city, of our people, who have chosen what is better. I can only imagine how incredibly painful it is to lose so much of what you hold dear, but the perspective that these amazing folks are carrying with them I pray sets an example for the rest of the country. From the folks who are receiving to the ones who are giving, the spirit is the same. Thankful to give. Thankful to receive. Thankful to be alive.
We are definitely in the limelight right now. We have let our light shine brightly throughout this dark time. Keep shining, Houston. Shine on!
pictures from various news media and friends FB posts
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