I live in a community that is still reeling from the devastating flooding that occurred after Hurricane Harvey in 2017. After seven full months, families are still working to repair their homes. Businesses are still struggling to rebuild and open their doors. While progress is happening, the trauma is still a “pulsating being” in our suburb and many other parts of Texas. How do we handle the struggle? We choose to hunker down and live in the seat of courage.
I’ve seen more acts of courage in the last seven months than I’ve seen in years. Texas is not the only region that has dealt with natural disasters recently. California, Florida, Puerto Rico, and others have been hit by mudslides, hurricanes, tornados, and fires. In all of these, our local responders have been tremendous, but too few. It has been a collective of local citizens that have been remarkable in their responses to the needs of their neighbors that have made the more significant impact. For example, there is no telling what else would have happened in Houston if the Cajun Navy had not arrived on the scene when they did with their boats and communication systems.
Beyond natural disaster, we have faced human destruction as well. Mass shootings in Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, and Parkland have sparked a movement, by young people, that is stirring and profound. The recent “March For Our Lives” was impassioned and notable.
The acts of kindness and valor by friends and strangers grant me a feeling of hope in a time when taking sides and seemingly standing against each other permeates our world. We have a long journey ahead as we rebuild our towns, villages, churches, schools, and hearts. I embrace the goodwill I see around me and have renewed confidence in our resilience.
I hope that you will find inspiration in the brave work that is happening around you wherever your home may be and that it will spark compassion and action in your stomping grounds. It is in this energy of renewal and rebuilding that we will quicken a dynamic future.
This is a photo of Robert and Luke watching the water rise. Thankfully our foundation was an inch or so high enough to keep the water out.
