A Post Helene Prayer

Back during the dark days of covid,  families learned to be families again.  Maybe it is more correct to say that families were forced to become families again as parents spent more time with children, board games and puzzles were found in the dusty dark corners of closets, and people sat down at tables to eat meals that were cooked at home instead of coming into the home by way of a bag.  We all said in those days that we hoped such would last beyond covid, but, of course, we knew deep inside that we would once again become fast food junkies and cell phone addicts.    

There is no doubt that the recent storm will be one of those events not forgotten.  Despite all the destruction of the landscape and the more primitive life power outages cause, it has been refreshing to see the human spirit at it best again.  People are helping people.  Neighbors are learning to be neighbors again.  Helping each other and sharing resources and sweat.  The new world expressed by "We are in this together" has brought us into a kinder and more giving community.  Even with the chaos still to be given order, folks are speaking words of gratitude for what has once again proven to be the most important things of life.  Faith, family, and friends.   

I do not think God sent the storm that has ravaged our towns and countryside to give us this reminder, but in some ways it has been a reminder that has resonated in many of our spirits.  We do not have to live divided by the things which we allow to create an "us and them" world.  We do not have to live in such a hurry that we cannot tend to the needs of the present.  Neither do we have to live alone and isolated.  Finally, we do not have to keep living as if tomorrow is guaranteed.  Let us pray that the days after Helene will be days of living differently and days of being grateful to God for the precious gift of life.