September 2017 Pastor's Letter

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. I cry to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. 3 He will send from heaven and save me -- Psalm 57:1-2 NRSV

As I write this, the residual rains from hurricane Harvey have arrived and are falling gently outside. Just a few days ago this weather system wrecked havoc on the coast of Texas and the people of Houston and today is settled gently on us with the sound of light tapping at our windows and roofs. Even though flood watches are in effect for areas around us, it is certain that we will not see anything like the force which devastated the Gulf coast.

It is hard to see anything positive coming from the destructive force of a hurricane like Harvey. One estimate I have seen suggests that the cost of rebuilding will top ninety billion dollars. That's probably a low estimate. But property damage is the least troublesome and easiest damage to deal with. The damage to people's hearts and souls because of lives lost and a lifetime of treasured memories disappearing is incalculable.

Storms like Harvey and other natural disasters often lead us to reflection on the nature of nature, of God and of our fellow man. As I watched the live footage from Houston this week I marveled at the fury the collision of natural forces can produce and the exhibition of bravery and goodness which was revealed in the caring and sacrificial response of residents, neighbors and our nation. I could not help but reflect on the different face this natural disaster put before the world of the true heart and soul of most of America just ten days or so after the tragic and ugly events in Charlottesville, Virginia. After Charlottesville, there was mostly anger and finger pointing and, sadly, political maneuvering to make the most of the tragedy. There is some of all those things in Houston as well, but the overwhelming impression is that America is still a place where compassion is valued.

At the heart of American compassion is faith, I believe. Faith such as the psalmist expressed in the opening verse of Psalm 51. Watching and listening to the reports I heard people continually request prayer for themselves and their neighbors and the unnamed first responders and volunteers. I watched as the chief of police reported, with tears, the death of a thirty-five year veteran and shared the faith of his family who said, they knew he was with God because he had prepared to be with God every day. I can think of no better way to live life.

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.- Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV 

Amen.

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