Refocusing after disaster

By now, you've all heard about the storm damage here in Tennessee. The county that I live in was fortunate to survive relatively unscathed. Two weeks ago, another storm took out two trees in our backyard. I have to wonder what would have happened if those trees hadn't already been down.

My prayers go out to all the people who have been effected by this storm. Everyone in the south seems to have either been effected directly or we know someone who was. That's how severe the damage is.

I was talking with a friend of mine who commented how life is now surreal to her. She said she talked with a family member who lost everything. Before going to help she went to her local store to pick up tarps and other items. Her city wasn't caught up in the storm damage. Everyone around her is going on about their business as usual.

My heart broke for her when she told me this. Survivors of disaster, sexual assault and abuse know exactly what she means.

When a disaster strikes your world temporarily crumbles. It feels strange to hear people talk or laugh. You want to run through the room shouting at people to stop it. It's hard to reconcile how people can enjoy life when you are in complete misery.

This is when it's important to remember that the sun rises after night falls. Things will get better a little at a time. We have to remind ourselves that we can rebuild.

After I was sexually assault an online friend shared a tip that had helped her. The suggestion was simple. She told me to take a small piece of paper and write five things on it that made me happy. These could be tangible items or memories. Then, she told me to write down three people that I loved.

My list included Hubby's hugs, my daughters' smiles, the beach, puppy kisses and chocolate. The three people were Hubby and both of my daughters.

The thing was for the list to help me focus on the positive. What surprised me is that it helped! Writing it down was good but just processing the list helped me feel better. I'm not saying that every day was wonderful from there on out. (Far from it!) But, the list did help me focus.

However, this was down the road a little bit from the date of crisis. It's hard to find the time to write something like this when you're in the middle of the worst crisis of your life.

All I can do is offer it as an idea for later. Right now, I am offering my prayers to all who are affected by the storms that swept through the south. Someone told me that the Southern states have rebuilt before and that we will again. I think she was right.

As the rebuilding gets underway my prayer is this:

My God smile upon the survivors, exceed your needs and restore your dreams. Amen.

Haiti Earthquake Relief: For Such a Time as This

Few events have rattled the world like the Haiti earthquake and relief effort. Hope and heartbreak are intermingled with the tears of the grieving. News reports tell of chaos and destruction. People shake their heads in dazed confusion and wonder where God is in the middle of this disaster. Then another person is pulled alive from the rubble and we know. He is there in the midst working to save and strengthen. His love is a balm to our grief, struggle and disbelief.

Aid workers were already on the ground. As the poorest nation in this hemisphere Haiti was a nation in need of assistance before the earthquake leveled buildings. The United Methodist Committee on Relief , UN Peacekeepers and mission teams from around the globe were already working to make lives better for the people in Haiti. Now, those same aid workers are working hard to save lives.

Supporting the various faith organizations are churches of all denominations and people of all religions. When crisis strikes there is not time for argument. Lifesaving efforts are paramount to denominational or religious differences.

For such a time as this, the church has the opportunity to be an alive and vibrant people in the face of great hardship. Those of us who are not in Haiti cannot imagine the horrors that the are being faced. Reports try to convey the suffering. The lessons from Katrina, Rita, California wildfires and other disasters tell us that those who are not there cannot fully understand.

What we can understand is the desire to help. I am a United Methodist. My spirit is bolstered by knowing that there is a structure that allows for the collection of funds and the distribution of goods. Those who wish can volunteer to load trucks, hold bake sales, collect supplies and organize the local efforts that are being undertaken by the church. Other denominations have similar networks.

Those networks are in place for such a time as this. There has been no better time for the church to stand up and be The Church. We cannot (and should not) all be in Haiti. But we can all be a part of the Haiti relief effort.

Here's how:

• Praying is easy. It takes very little time and no money. 
• Giving money is the next step. Just think what would be done if everyone in the US gave $1 each? 
• Buying supplies is something most of us can do. Toothbrushes and combs are not expensive. A single person can purchase items for a kit or a few people can go in together. More information is online.
• Volunteer. Ask your pastor how you can be a part of your church relief effort.
• Maximize your effectiveness by getting training in advance. No matter how much we rebel against it disasters are a part of life. We must plan and respond. Maximize your effectiveness by getting trained and being prepared in case a disaster strikes near you. 

Hopefully, there won't be another Haiti earthquake. For all disasters, we must remember that God brings good from bad by preparing his people to respond, for such a time as this, and other disasters.

More information:

United Methodist Committee on Relief

US Aid

Save the Children

World Vision