Hurricane Harvey is gone.
He left behind devastation and way too much water. Lives have been lost and altered completely. We will never be the same.
I was thinking of the toil this storm has taken on those around me. The uprooting from homes, the loss of property, wages and friends. Some schools are completely destroyed and now rivals will have to do class together. Due to roads still underwater, alternative routes to and from work has made the commute longer than most have ever seen. Many were caught off guard with no flood insurance, they were told they didn't need it in their area. Harvey proved them wrong... Yes, Harvey was brutal, but we are resilient.
Houston is in the midst of rebuilding. I love the way no one waits to finish crying before picking up a mop, bucket or begins tearing out sheetrock. For people who deal with grief, this is not all bad, it just means that some may wait later for grief to hit them. Others cried till their strength was gone, then they dried their eyes, picked up the bucket and joined the friends that came to help. There is never a thought of whether or not rebuilding is going to happen, it is.
MULTITASKING
I want to take a moment to encourage those who are in the midst of rebuilding. You will have great opportunity to be overwhelmed by the size of the job. You will sometimes have to stop just to catch your breath or reevaluate your actions, but keep going. This is one time that we have to know how to multitask...how to do one job while also giving great attention to another. This will be seen in how you stay connected with your family, while also calling for assistance, cleaning up and tearing down, following up on claims, hiring contractors and taking care of YOU. You can do this, even if you may not be good at multitasking at work. If you are like me, I have a bit of tunnel vision. I will see a goal and focus on it- nothing else matters.. But I have learned to notice and deal with other things that come into my peripheral while focusing on the vision. We were told F.O.C.U.S. is Following One Course Until Successful. Your one course will be rebuilding!
REBUILDING/ FIGHTING
Nehemiah was a man distraught due to the destruction of the walls in Jerusalem. The walls had been torn down and burnt. His desire to rebuild kept him up at night-until he made a decision. It was important enough to him to do something about it so he did. You can read the book of Nehemiah to find out all the details of his journey, but I just want to pull a few things for us to consider:
1. Have the passion to rebuild! We are talking about your property, your family, your life your opportunity to make things better than they were; stronger than they were. What you had was good, you would never have disrupted it, especially like this. But we are here now... take advantage of this opportunity to rebuild.
2. Take advantage of what is available! Yes there is a process that is not fun. They are called FEMA, RED CROSS, MORTGAGE COMPANIES...ect.. You have a right to go to them with your needs in mind. Nehemiah reminded them that he was a cup bearer for the king. He served well, he did his job and took care of business before the breach in the walls. You have paid your dues, your taxes and you have a right to benefit from what is made available to you. Pride is not attractive, especially when help is needed.
3. Work with your army! This is not a loner job. This is the time to work with others and also the time to mend relationships. There is nothing like a tragedy that can help us put some petty things behind us for good. Pull your army together and allow everyone to help based on their skill set. Whatever they can do, allow them to. They may not be able to carry or pull , but they may watch the kids. Every one has a talent that is important and can help with rebuilding. Be sure you build your army with good people who will lift you up when you are feeling weary, we all need (in doses) that one person that seems to be an eternal optimist.
4. Stay positive! Nehemiah had real enemies that wanted to stop the work, they tried, but the bible said that God frustrated their plans. Don't be the one getting frustrated, leave that for the ones that are trying to benefit at your expense. God will frustrate them for you, stay focused, stay positive and build your army as they work. Be sure to thank your army and allow them to be a blessing that they want to be for you. It's okay, life always allows us to help each other, right now you are in need- one day it may be them.
5. Finally, Build and Fight! Your main focus is rebuilding, but you will have to fight at the same time. Fight the temptation to give up, get angry, the temptation to allow emotions to scatter your army or even the temptation to not follow through all the way. Your greatest multitasking will be fighting for your peace, rebuilding your life and ensuring that both are well. Remember to take time for you and your family, do simple things that don't require the mop and bucket, we all need a break to encourage ourselves. Enjoy what each day brings, laughter and down time. You can do this!
Nehemiah 4:16-18
From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked
In closing, know that you are made for this. You may be hurt, angry or grieving, but you are going to be okay. There is nothing that you deal with that you cannot make it through. Trust me, we think we are weak, but God said in the midst of our weakness, He is strong for us. Lean on His grace and favor when you feel you are losing strength. Remember to pray for all those who are also rebuilding their lives like you are. You better than anyone else knows the drama and discouragements that lurk around every corner.
For those not heavily affected by the storm, we are not bystanders or spectators, we are part of the great resources God has made available to bless others! So let's do this thing, let's fight, rebuild and be a blessing!
