Peace: Positive Unity through the Storm

Hurricane Harvey has been a horrific hurricane to hit Southeast Texas into Louisiana leaving destruction and devastation in its path. Weeks prior to this natural disaster we heard a lot of negativity in the news that has divided people and continues to tear people apart because of the target or source of that negativity. Awareness of negative issues that are present are important to determine the source of the problem(s) in order to create and implement solutions, but this blog tonight is to share that positive that still exists and shines brightly throughout the storm.

We live in west Texas so we were not directly impacted by Hurricane Harvey, however, despite the distance from the coast our church family and community have rallied together in this area to directly impact those that were affected by Hurricane Harvey through prayer, monetary donations, time, and physical donations without hesitation. It reminds me that positivity will trump negativity any day of the week. People will help others they have never met to help in whatever way they can from donating their time to box donations and fill trailers to praying for those affected families to donating money or items.

A few things that stand out while volunteering with the effort was seeing people wanting to give, wanting to help in any way they could. They would go through their entire house and give whatever they thought would help. People went out and spent what they could afford to buy brand new items to bless others. Some bought loads of items to donate while businesses and families worked together to donate truckloads of items. A little boy bought items out of his piggy bank to help others. The power and love of a child to help those he has never met can really humble you to realize how innocent and giving kids are. Some people drove from New Mexico to be a blessing to those in Texas and I even had childhood friends from across the nation message me to see how they could help.

For some, donating also brought healing. Some haven't been able to donate items due to sentimental reasons or loss of a loved one, but this storm helped them conquer those barriers and break down those walls to donate those items to help others. They were a blessing to others and in turn were blessed with peace and healing with their giving.

It was an honor for me to witness this unity of people through a storm in order to bless others.

Proverbs 11:25 states "The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped."

There have been many times over the course of our life we have needed assistance, we have needed some sort of help and others have always been there by the grace of God. Family members, friends, strangers, and even organizations such as the Red Cross have been there to help us in our time of need. It was an honor and a blessing to give back and bless others as we have been blessed. It brings peace knowing that you can give and receive. When we receive we are grateful and appreciative. When we give, we give with love and with intentions to be a blessing to others. The ability to receive when needed and then to give to bless others in their time of need brings the heart peace knowing that you have done for others as others have done for you.

This hurricane relief outreach volunteering experience made me realize that no matter how much negativity in the world there is, when it really matters, we can unite together to spread love and blessings to weather the storm and help encourage and build each other up. No matter how we tear each other down and form barriers among each other, God lives in us and helps us shine through the storm to unite in Him for his children that are in need. It takes that one person to say, "That is awful and horrible, but this is what we are going to do to help." Then you see so many people rushing in to make that solution a reality to better the lives of those affected, to help bring them healing, hope, and peace. That is AMAZING to witness!