Swing

It is one thing to clean up after a hurricane, but it is another thing to think about the coming effects of a hurricane that is churning in the Gulf waters.

We are working to repair the damage caused by Gustav and people who call Louisiana home are already bracing for the the arrival of Ike.

There is a sense of urgency to our work as we try to cover holes in roofs so that water will not cause further destruction to homes already damaged by Gustav.

At times it feels like you are not making any progress and there are times when you think that you are making a difference.

Things that one takes for granted at home are rare here in Louisiana.

Ice. Electricity. Running water. Air Conditioning.

Yesterday I met a family that had lost all of these with the exception of water. You could tell that they were a busy family and accustomed to a demanding schedule. Gustav arrived and altered their lifestyle.

During the morning I looked across the yard and noticed a yard swing covered by an awning. It didn't look like it had been used very much pre-Gustav, But yesterday the family of four was sitting on the swing, laughing and enjoying each other. The father was holding his daughter and she was giggling.

It made me stop and think...Disasters have a way of slowing us down and making us appreciate things that are neglected in the busy-ness of life.

It could be that swinging on the porch swing is more valuable than the size of our plasma screens, more valuable than the myriad of sports schedules, more valuable than the constant pace that saps our energies.

My heart was refreshed by a dad holding his daughter swinging on the porch swing. I hope that when life gets back to normal for this family they still swing together under the shade of those beautiful pine trees in Baker, Louisiana.

Listening

A picture is worth a thousand words

Limitations

Today we were tested.

The temperature was in the mid-90's...the heat index was in the upper 90's.

The work from the ground looked rather simple. Remove trees and branches that had fallen on a steep (emphasis on the word "steep") roof and then install FEMA roofing (blue tarps).

It all looked good from the comfort of the air conditioned 2007 Yukon.

Life is a lot like that. Things look simple from a distance. Have you ever given into the temptation to offer advice and solve problems when you were in your comfort zone?

Today we were looking at the job and it looked so simple.

Then we started to work.

At the end of the day there was great satisfaction that we had accomplished something great for the kingdom.

I learned some very important lessons today.

I learned that people who are hurting express true gratitude with kind words.

I learned that when we think that we cannot go another step, He walks with us.

I learned that in tragic circumstances, there are humorous moments.

Let me close with a great example.

Before I left I scurried all over our community gathering plastic tarps to bring to Louisiana. I gathered as many as I could. I was loading them on the trailer and I looked down on the end of the box. Tarps bought in Flint were manufactured in Louisana.

Yes, you have it right. They were made here in Louisiana, shipped to Flint, and then we turned around and brought them back. Does anybody think that is strange. I had to laugh.

So we are continuing our mission...

Sunday

Jesus asked provocative questions.

Sometimes He asked questions that needed no answers. Sometimes the response was so obvious that people who heard Jesus stood there dumbfounded by the power of the question.

Such is the case in today's question.

The work around us today in Louisiana is staggering. People are struggling to find solutions to their distress. Problems don't know what day of the week it is.

Here is a personal confession. I have been taught that Sundays were sacred, and I beleive that.

However, Jesus asked a very powerful question to a group of people that were judgmental.

Here is the question.

"Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"

The scripture tells us that the "people with all the answers" simply "remained silent".

That is funny to me....people who are experts remaining silent. It must have been a powerful question.

As if that is not enough, He went on to illustrate his question.

"If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?"

Again, there response was silence.

I am trying to figure all of this out, meanwhile I hear oxen bleating in the ditches. My job today is to go and pull them out.

Not a bad way to spend a sabbath if you really believe that all work is sacred.

Just a thought.

Louisiana

1175 miles. 23 hours. Wendy's & Subway. Lots of stops for fuel. And we are in Louisana.

The damage is so different from the kind that swept in with Hurricane Katrina, but there is damage. You have to look for it, but it is there.

I spent this evening in a meeting where we assessed the damages and strategized how we will address the horrific damage caused by Gustav.

It was heartbreaking to see homes sliced in half by trees that were over a foot and a half in diameter. With the same intensity that the trees crushed people's homes, their dreams were crushed.

It is very interesting.

Some of the pictures showed what appeared to be minimal damage, but upon closer inspection the damage is significant even though it appears to be small.

Life is a lot like that.

How many times have you met people who appeared to have minimal damage in their life, but as you get to know them you discover that there are massive internal damages that conspire to rob people of joy?

I am getting ready to "turn in for the evening." (when you use a phrase like that you are showing your age.) But that is exactly what I am going to do.

Here are two thoughts that continue to call for my attention.....

I am going to meet new people and renew acquaintances. Both are a joy.

I am going to be the answer to someone's prayer this week. (That is not boastful, it is humbling to think that someone has prayed that God would send someone to help. That's me and those I serve with!)

Bonus thought for the evening....In my ramblings yesterday, I spoke of Baton Rouge as home to an old family friend. I hoped to be able to see him before I head back home. Who was the first person I saw when I pulled up to the church. Yep! You guessed it. He came inside, gave me a bear hug, and lifted me up off of my feet. (in that order)

Dangling, I thought...maybe this is how they make you feel welcome. It worked!

Adventure

Every day is an adventure.

You never know what a day will bring. Today was a busy day of last minute preparations getting ready for a late afternoon departure to Louisiana.

Hurricane Gustav left its mark on the Gulf Coast and we are answering the call to help meet the immediate needs of those who call Baton Rouge home.

Baton Rouge holds fond memories for me as a child.

It is home to Louisiana State University and "Pistol Pete" Maravich. I remember as a child the surprise when my dad came home and announced we were going on a road trip. Imagine my shock when we walked into the field house and saw Pete Maravich play basketball on a sunny afternoon. He scored over 50 points that afternoon.

It is home to Dr. Tim, a physician who cares for students at Louisiana State University. He and I attended first grade together at Huddle Elementary School in Alexandria, Lousiana. I haven't seen him since first grade, and probably won't get a chance to see him. But he calls Baton Rouge home.

It is home to some dear family friends who have known my family for ages. The last time I saw them was when I worked in New Orleans and I heard someone calling my name. I turned around and there they were. Her comment was, "you look just like your father." I'll take that as a compliment.

It is home to thousands of people who have been adversely affected by Gustav. It will be an adventure to meet them and hear their stories.

I am sitting in the middle seat of a 2007 Yukon heading toward Baton Rouge. I can't wait to arrive. According to the GPS we will arrive at 11:37 am Saturday.

Then I hear someone saying to me...."you look just like your father." I think that is true everytime we respond affirmatively to the direction that He leads us.

I'll take that as a compliment.

Coasting along I-69 South and enjoying the ride!

Stay tuned.

Problems

Think you got problems?

I saw this picture while looking for an image several weeks ago.

What do you think is going through the mind of this cow?

"Hey...I thought my head was smaller."

"Momma said there would be days like this."

"Well, I've got no place to go."

"Help!!!!"

Think you got problems?

'Nuff said.

Tomorrow I join four others and head to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to deal with problems left by Hurricane Gustav's visit to the Gulf Coast. Stay tuned to the blog to keep up to date with what is happening in the southland.