For those of you that don’t know, the great state of Texas is home to some very close and very dear members of my family.
My grandmother is from Corpus Christi. She met my grandfather there while he was in the Navy. My mother was born in Dallas, and spent many years growing up in Texas surrounded by aunts and uncles and cousins before moving back to my grandfather’s hometown here in Georgia.
Just this past January my grandparents moved back to Texas to take care of my aging great-grandmother who has Alzheimer’s.
Last Friday morning they were evacuated from their home and drove several hours inland to stay with family, away from Hurricane Harvey.
Thankfully, all of my family is safe from the horrendous flooding and rain that has the great city of Houston under siege.
Just months ago though, I was driving through Houston with my mother and sister. Just months ago everything was fine and okay.
This time last week Houston was not underwater like it is now.
It is utterly heartbreaking to watch the continuing disaster unfold.
But even still, God is on His throne. And even still He cares for us.
That being said, Houston and the people of Texas have a very, very long and daunting road ahead of them. And they will need our assistance every step of the way.
God tells us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
And I firmly believe that prayer is our best weapon (yes, it is a weapon).
However, as Christ followers we are also called to take action. James 2:15-17 puts it like this:
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I’m aware that those three verses contain a lot to unpack and talk about and sift through.
But, undeniably, they say that we need to do something.
Now, I’m not going to just tell you that you need to do something without telling you how you can do something.
Here are two ways to help the relief effort, because there are people without shelter and clothes and food:
- Kroger has partenered with the American Red Cross to round-up to the nearest dollar at checkout. Every cent counts.
- Or, if you want to donate locally, Houston’s food bank is taking donations on their website – http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/.
Disclaimer: this is in no way an attempt to guilt trip anyone – if you can’t give, you can’t give.
But you can continue to pray. Or maybe start praying.
Houstonians, we are with you.
Let’s Talk 