All week long we have watched the water rise, we have talked to people about the flooding, we have watched the television and scoured our social media, looking at pictures of devastation and sorrow. We have attempted to assess what damage we could and entered the labyrinth of paperwork associated with storm damage, insurance and restoration. We have held each other and cried and prayed. It has been a hard week.
Last Sunday, during the Healing Service, I listened to the bells of the All Saints’ banner quietly ring in the background.
The banner hangs in the sacristy from year, and most of the time, it never makes a sound. But, with water damage to the pipe organ that streamed onto the floor, we have had fans going to dry the carpet and whole area. The fans stir the banner just enough to make the bells ring quietly. I sat and listened to Glynis gracefully play the piano with the echoes of Psalm 69 still in my mind.
Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.
But I am lowly and in pain; let your salvation, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs.
Let the oppressed see it and be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.
For the Lord hears the needy, and does not despise his own that are in bonds.
Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah;
and his servants shall live there and possess it; the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it. (Psalm 69:1-3, 29-36)
I felt peace and hope surround me, and in the quiet bells, I could imagine the testimonies of those who had gone on before us. They faced difficult days, and persevered. We can too; with God’s promises and their examples.
In our perseverance, we see faithful joy: in helping others, in loving our neighbors and opening our doors. It has been a good week after all.
We have shoveled sand for our neighbors.
We have filled over 30 flood buckets, and given away at least 16 already.
We opened our doors and hearts to over 130 children. Some are “ours” and some are of our community, but we had the opportunity to be church to the world. We prayed, shared the gospel and played. We served lunch and made friends in Jesus’ name.
God blesses us always.
Faithfully,
Pastor Scarlett