Today I was supposed to finish my US Open story, but I CAN’T!
It was a little humorous frivolous aside. It seems inappropriate in light of other news!!
Given the devastation that has occurred because of Hurricane Helene, I feel the need to redirect our focus.
I never knew what a hurricane can do in the mountains! The videos and photos have shocked and horrified me!! Stunned by the imprints. It is unthinkable crazy!!! Pathways carved and erupted into raging rivers of mud, debris, houses, vehicles, trees … I even saw one video with a coffin being tossed down the violent waters.
OH. MY. HEART.
It’s so sad and catastrophic!!
I have spent time in those very mountains refreshing my soul. Today, their beauty, peace, and tranquil nature have upended and became a place ravaged by unimaginable violence. The breadth and width untold. Death, destruction, a war of waters have coursed through unseen and unknown places, decimating a region that once held solace.
It is hard to grasp the whole of it!!
Today, I beg all of us to pray!!
I imagine you’ve already begun, but I encourage you to keep going.
As one commentator put it … this devastation is “of Biblical proportions”!!!
In like manner, our response should be biblical!
Pray to God Almighty for his intervening.
No other response seems appropriate!
God is capable of mending hearts, lives, brokenness, and destruction.
He sees where we cannot: knowing the answers for needy souls!
Begin here, if you wish…
Pray for ….
Our Government’s response.
The Rescuers who risk themselves to help some.
For FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). Specifically, for my framily member, Colt Hagmaier, Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate within the Office of Response and Recovery (ORR) at the Federal Emergency Management. He shoulders a massive amount of responsibility, as do others at FEMA!
The Red Cross.
Other Disaster Response Agencies.
All the Government Officials in States where the hurricane hit: governors, mayors, county counsels, etc.
People’s lives that will never be the same.
Those who’ve lost homes, incomes, family, friends, neighbors, stability and future security.
Those in need of food, water, necessities.
Power workers/companies.
Department of Transportation.
Schools/Colleges/Universities affected.
Children experiencing the surrounding trauma.
Those who’ve witnessed these travesties and will deal with it the rest of their lives.
Counselors to help people cope with this trauma.
Pastors attempting to minister to their flocks while experiencing their own ruin.
Visionaries to cast a promise for future rebuilding.
Give those devastated HOPE!! Let them feel loved and cared for. Shelter them in your arms. Take away alone feelings. Give them glimpses of their importance. Send encouragement! Protect them from further damage. Make your healing presence known.
Add your own to this list … it’s limitless!!
I am so thankful for the roof over my head, yet, feel for the suffering of others so strongly! Especially, our fellow citizens, affected by this vast natural disaster!!
I urge you to pray this week and the weeks ahead, even if you don’t pray.
Do it for others. It is selfless and humbling.
We can’t all travel to the locations to help. The infrastructure would not support that. But we can offer thoughts, prayers, resources for those who know best how to respond. We can uphold them with petitions and intercession (which is praying for someone else on their behalf).
Watching a sleepy mountain Main Street for a town of 200 people become consuming waters of homes and literally every structure known as “town”, washed away, leaving a path of mud, debris and nothingness; no sign of human life, can only be equated to an apocalypse.
My mind is spinning overtime to conceive it!!
Please, Join me and PRAY!
CRY OUT for our brothers and sisters!
WEEP for their losses!
EXTEND support!
RESPOND in care, kindness and generosity whenever a situation presents itself.
Urgently Praying,
Share it for us, please.
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Elaine Stone 
Elaine, todays post feels like ministry directly to me, although I know it is for many. I am praying for those we know and those we don’t know yet who are grieving loss and trying to help those who are trying to rebuild. So much bigger than myself, but not too big for our JESUS. Thank you for the words you are gifted with to comfort and re-direct when there are deep tears and grief in our hearts.
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Elizabeth, I am touched that it spoke to you in deep places. Prayers are a gift we give to and for others. We may never meet them, but our prayers affect them. Thank you for sharing. Blessings!
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