Late Night Thoughts: Loving and Serving from afar. (Harvey)

"You are God of this city. You are King of this nation. YOU are."

A place that has shaped you, molded you, taught you how to live and love. A place full of community and faith. A place full of diversity and hope. Growing up, going to school on the opposite end of town where I lived, living life in the middle of it, never really made sense to many, but it was life to me.

Storms, have always been dear to my heart in some shape or form. Hurricane Ike shaped our community, so did Rita and Allison. Storms, bring people together in unity and destruction for something far greater than we know. Harvey, is NO different. Being thousands miles away from a place so dear to the heart, has only allowed the desire wanting to be there even more. Flood parties, community, and so much more. Yet, as I sit back from a far talking to people who live back in Houston, who grew up there and are like me miles away, or to others who haven't experienced it before I am amazed. Houses, streets, roads I've been on, played on for fun or just briefly are drenched. Places that usually safe,  aren't.  It's mindblowing. But, if anything THIS community will bounce back. The foundation and strength to become to where we are to so much more is immensely greater than ever. In the past eight years (Since Ike) we have had 1 million people come in the surrounding area. It is different, but oh so sweet.
Y'all, God is using this storm to HIS glory. GREATER things are still to come. As we are on our knees praying for the city (HTown, Tomball, The Woodlands, Beaumont, Spring, etc....), the people, God has already orchestrated a plan to use this to HIS glory, now, and years to come. Looking back at the past storms, I would not be where I am without them. Allison taught joy and playing in the water as well as the neighborhood came together to rebuild the clubhouse. Rita, hit my grandmothers home and taught faith and resilience. Ike, well that's a story in itself, trust, faith and hope. Ike was a pivotal moment in finding the Lord, with health and new additions. But, through all of these seasons and even now we look at the affects and houses around us. It is devastating but by His grace and power it is so much more.

It hurts to watch from afar, but this is part of the call to serve and love our brothers and sisters who need each other. "Two are better than one." My heart yearns for the community and growth of everyone around us. If I have learned anything in the past twenty-three years of my life Houston is strong and a family. North Harris County, is a community continuously serving others. God, is orchestrating greatness out of this "hurricane" and storm, but we yearn and seek His guidance of how and why.

My 100 year old grandmother said it well "this beats the '30s. But, can't stop us now."

Lord,

You are faithful. You are joy. You are King. We ask and wonder the unanswered questions of this storm, but we lift up to you the sick, hurting, the week. The first responders, the doctors, nurses, county reps, people who are opening up their homes and hearts to serve. Teach us, show us for those far away help us to serve from afar, in the best way. Lord, YOU are.

-Trust the Sunrise