Pastor's Blog

REV REG'S RANDOM RAMBLINGS ( Five Years Aug. 30, 2010)

Has it really been five years?  When you say it, five years seems like a very long time.  But, when something as life-changing as Katrina blows into your life, five years is a drop in the bucket. Oddly, I, who write about everything that happens in my life, from hangnails to spiritual insights to traumatic events, have never written my memories of that time.  I realized that I needed to as I sat in the training session for giving spiritual care in oil affected areas.  "Stuff" began welling up in me from the Katrina experience.  I am still grieving.  And, I didn't lose people close to me, or even a home or a vehicle.  I think the worst part for me was sitting in front of the TV in my friend, Rev. Pam's house in Columbia, LA. I felt the most overwhelming sense of helplessness that I have ever felt.  I've held the hand of a loved one as she slipped into eternity; I've stood by the incubator of my son and my granddaughter, afraid to touch them because of all the wires; I've stood by as medical personnel worked feverishly to bring my daughter out of a potentially fatal asthma attack.  But, not once, did I ever feel helpless.  I was there.  I was present.  I was giving my energy.  Katrina was different.  I had done what I could.  I had checked on my elderly church members, left a message with my cell phone number on it, and encouraged everyone I could, including my brothers on the Miss. Gulf Coast, to evacuate.  I had been in touch with my girls - knew their plans.  I took Brooks and Gizmo (the dog), important papers, all the usual stuff, and drove to Columbia.  But, there I sat, watching as reporters broke down and cried as they gave their reports from the city I had come to love - New Orleans.  But, there was absolutely no word about my beloved island, Grand Isle, or my beloved Bayou folks from Lafourche Parish.  Worse, there was only sketchy word from the Miss. Gulf Coast, where two of my brothers lived.  I panicked!  I knew I should be doing something other than praying.  Finally, I knew that if I didn't just give in, surrender to the helplessness, or "lean into it" as my mentor would say, I would make myself sick.  Then, I would be not only helpless, but useless when the time came to pick up the pieces. I remembered a hymn that my Dad and I used to sing as a duet:  "Stand By Me." 

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me. 

When the storms of life are raging, stand by me. 

When the world is tossing me, like a ship upon the sea,

Thou Who rulest wind and water, stand by me.

And, God does.  Amen.

Grace and Peace, RevReg