August 26, 2019 (Monday)
The biggest hit of the 1890’s was, “After the Ball.” Today, the anniversary of viewing the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, a parody of that grand old song is in my mind:
After the storm is over, after the break of morn,
After the power’s leaving, after the lights are gone,
Many a heart is aching, if you could read them all–
Many the hopes that have vanished after it all.
Like some of you, we got in the car and drove through the debris that the storm left behind. It was depressing to see ancient trees twisted in half, whole houses turned to heaps of lumber, bare lots where mobile homes used to sit, walls with no bricks, rooves with few shingles, windows with no glass, electric wires lying helpless in the street, awaiting an opportunity to claim more victims..
But early that morning there already were trucks loaded with goods and volunteers handing out food and other necessities. Then another group. And another, until some of the streets resembled the open markets of Third World countries, only everything was being offered as a gift to whomever would simply receive it. That was only the beginning. Volunteer work groups would come from all over the country. Two years later, the First Baptist Church, just this summer, has housed and fed 1,200 volunteers who have been working hard in behalf of those who need help.
Many types of help have been given and the people of this area continue to move toward a normal existence. Two years have passed. Much has been done. And more will be done in the future. We thank the Lord for all the local helpers, the organizations and agencies and every example of friendship and Christian love.
Let us hope and pray that we do not see another “day after” for a while.
Repeating some lines from a recent blog song: “Tomorrow. Tomorrow. I love ya’, tomorrow. You’re only a day away.”