Dear Lord, Thank You that it wasn’t worse and for all those You protected. Now, Father, please give us as individuals, as communities, as churches and as a nation the strength to help all those in need. All those displaced. All those without supplies. All those without power. All those desperately seeking loved ones. All those hurt and injured. All those grieving. All those still missing. All those still in need of rescue. All of them. Grant us the strength and wisdom to help others in this time of need. Thank You, Father, for it is in the precious Name of Your Son Jesus we pray. Amen.

This isn’t the time to take political potshots. That, unfortunately, will happen as human nature doesn’t improve under stress. Regardless, we’ll snipe each other later, during the recap when we beat ourselves up over all we got wrong. Today, it’s time to get to work.

If you can donate financially, find a reliable charity that can help and do so. The American Red Cross tops the list but isn’t the only group that sends supplies and aid into disaster areas.

Not everyone can. But everyone can pray. It’s okay if you’re out of practice, God won’t mind. He can reach those who are alone in ways we can’t – besides, it’s foolishness not to ask for help from the Best. Don’t just pray for the victims. The responders of every kind will need prayer. They are taking on a heavy burden for all of us who can’t be there or who lack the needed skills. They need all the prayer and support we can muster.

What else can you do? Remember. Not a year from now, but in two weeks. As disasters fade from the headlines we get busy with other things. Remind yourself so that you can donate funds, supplies or blood when those donations start to dry up.

Volunteer. Just because you aren’t a lineman or a fireman doesn’t mean you can’t still help. They will be organizing clean up efforts in all four states. If you can swing a rake and a bucket, volunteer with a reputable group and go. If not, volunteer for support activities like manning phones for a fundraiser or organizing the logistics for those who are able to go. There’s a ton more work than most people realize. And the same two week rule applies – they will be needing volunteers for several months to come.

Check with the Red Cross, local churches and your City Hall – if they don’t need extra hands, they likely know who does. They can also direct you to reliable organizations that will make your donations count.

I’ll talk next week about the political side. Specifically, there are some political activities that might be useful, but I think it best to volunteer now and talk to your congressman later.

As of this writing the death toll estimates are around 115 with 600 believed missing. Personally, I’ll be praying that those numbers don’t go up and that all the missing are found safe. I’ll make a donation to Ryan Hall’s Yall Squad. There are already reports of insurance companies trying to deny claims. I can’t swing a bucket and sitting up for long periods doesn’t end well for me or anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby (yeah, it’s weird but true) but I do have some professional experience with the insurance industry.

And I know who my congressman is.

We can only do what we can. As long as we do the best with what we’ve got, we’ve nothing to be ashamed of. It will not feel like it’s enough. It’s not supposed to. We’re supposed to grieve for our neighbors and countrymen. We’re supposed to cry when others hurt. We’re humans.

And Children of God.

Just do your best and He’ll handle the rest. Sure, it sounds like a platitude, but it’s still true.

Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” askes a haunting question that many of you are probably asking right now. “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”

In our moments of pain and anger, we feel alone. It’s natural but it isn’t true.

The answer to Mr. Lightfoot’s question is simple, but not easy. The love of God is right there, right where it needs to be right when it needs to be there. It’s there in that moment of pain and fear. Sometimes, it provides the protection we crave and sometimes it provides the protection we need.

There’s another song, Scott Krippayne’s “Sometimes He Calms the Storm”

Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still
He can settle any sea
But it doesn’t mean He will
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild
Sometimes He calms the storm
And other times He calms His child

Scott Krippayne

God’s love hasn’t left us or those affected by the hurricane. It’s right there, holding us and giving us the strength to help or to endure. We never cry alone.

God’s love is there.