For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone. Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. (Psalm 91: 11-12, 14-15 NRSV)
In the aftermath of all the devastation in the Gulf of Mexico and in Florida, I am sure there are folks who are wondering, “Has God forgotten us?”
The answer, of course, is a resounding “NO!”
Those of us who are gratefully high and dry must not forget them either. They are our neighbors, even though they are far away, and they are depending on us to help them. God has not forgotten them, and God has not forgotten us: the safe and secure and untouched! God calls us: our job now is to help our neighbors, wherever they are, in whatever manner we are able.
If you have never volunteered to help in such a crisis, now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get busy. There are many ways to help: money is probably the easiest, but if you are willing and able to go to the devastated places, contact any of the agencies who can give you information: the Red Cross, your local church.
I can promise you, from experience in the aftermath of Katrina, you will be as blessed by your service as the people you have helped!
If you can’t go, send money. If you can’t send money, pray! And don’t just pray today; keep praying, because this disaster is huge, and will be a long time in the recovery!