Disasters storm across our lands these days: Rivers forget their banks,
pour raging waters into our streets,
wash out bridges, trash our treasures, leave us to cry in the dark.
Funny we never expect such happenstance.
Winds bend trees to breaking and limbs crash in rooftops, turn homes into unsurvivable wrecks —
Victims by tragic circumstance.
Overwhelmed by loss
And the muddy mess,
we fear what will come next:
Wonder just what we have reaped,
What seeds have been carelessly sown.
Times of struggle loom ahead
Times of discomfort,
Little time to recover tattered remains,
We will have to make do with less.
But surprise awaits as people
gather on site, where we learn
What neighbors are really like:
The ones with a flashlight,
The ones with chainsaws to clear debris,
The ones with power, food, and a freezer to share,
The ones with brooms and shovels,
Ready to get down to it.
Ready to make the day worth living
With helping hands to restore
Better times for the rest.
Even people from far away places,
People with unfamiliar faces
show up at the door,
To make for us a hearty stew.
And in their love plainly demonstrated,
We find humanity at her best.
Tragic experience shatters norms.
Sufferings shared makes of desperate people one.
The mystery of hope held in common, bends in one charitable direction
To make real corrections.
The blessing rarely spoken,
learned when disaster strikes,
As you face frustration, worry and strife,
Is the joy brought by people who knock
Twice; People waved at yesterday in passing, now offer a hand strong and lasting.
Neighbors you barely knew
Become trusted friends: a whole new community for you.
The realization of solidarity and
respect provides healing for human grief; the faithfulness restored by willing hearts, gives hope in spite of worldly distress,
The unexpected grace of nevertheless.
THH
10/01/24
Thoughts Have Hands 