Rising Above the Flood
It is in the worst of times that we can sometimes see the best of people. Four teens, Thomas Edwards (17) and his three friends, Richard Dickason (17), Liam Connor (17) and Declan Connor (15), rescued fifty people from the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey. According to the Daily Wire, the teens grabbed their fishing boat and a paddle board and navigated the treacherous waters with submerged cars and other obstacles. Hearing people crying for help, they took action by taking stranded victims to a nearby Krogers where others were taking refuge. Exhausted and worn out, the boys continued their rescue efforts for hours until the National Guard arrived.Hurricane Harvey crashed into the Gulf Coast as a category four storm this weekend with winds up to 130 miles per hour. It then stalled and dropped over fifty inches of rain flooding the Houston, Texas area. Despite this catastrophic disaster, numerous examples of the goodness of people have shown through the storm. Images have popped up on Facebook, Twitter, and social media of rescue workers, volunteers, and neighbors jumping in as good Samaritans to help those in need. Like that of Deputies Fernandez, Patel, and Tran who carried a woman in a wheelchair to safety and a local Houston pastor who checked flooded cars for trapped victims.Even as the flood waters rise, so can the human spirit. Natural disasters, though horrific, can be opportunities. This is when Godly character can shine and be the hands and feet of Jesus in action. If you aren’t in the Houston area, connect with the American Red Cross. Donate clothes, diapers, or blood to help those in need. Talk to your local church to see what you can do to be the church in action. If you’re local to my area, Marra Flooring has teamed up with the Northbridge Student Council and is filling up a Uhaul truck to take supplies to Houston. They’re taking donations through this Tuesday 9/5/17 at 60 Pleasant Street suite 10, Ashland, MA. Canned goods, blankets, diapers, formula, and toiletries are welcome!For my friends in Texas, know that we are praying for you and that God is holding you up with his righteous right hand.