OK, so I guess I have been a blogger fail, since this is my first post since April of last year. I let things get in the way, but I am going to do better. Promise.
The following was not written by me, but is borrowed from an article by Greg Clark, our minister at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ in Sherwood, AR. I thought it said things that needed to be said about our brave TN neighbors. This is for my Nashville friends and for many other friends who have a special place in their hearts for Nashville and the surrounding area. Because WE ARE NASHVILLE.
Nashville Rising
Losses from the May 2nd flooding in Nashville have been staggering It has been called "the single largest disaster to hit Middle Tennessee since the Civil War." Some have speculated that it may be the "costliest non-hurricane natural disaster in American history." There is still no definitive answer on how many people have lost their homes. In the region, twenty-three have lost their lives. One couple got in their car to flee the rising waters but were swept away on the road. The man died because he couldn't get out and into his wheelchair, his wife because she refused to leave his side.
Nashville is rising again. Not the floodwaters, but the spirit of a heavily churched city with middle America values. Their strength has been an example to the world. Stories abound of courageous rescues and generous neighbors helping neighbors. One woman's house was on fire and she had a choice of either dying in the fire or dying in the flood. At exactly the right moment, a man on a jet ski pulled up and rescued her. She exclaimed, "God sent me an angel on a jet ski!"
One church sent out a tweet asking for volunteers to help with the clean-up and had over 1,000 people show up. Country music stars stepped up to help their beloved city even before the national media decided it might be time to give the disaster a little coverage. Taylor Swift donated $500,000 herself.
Jesus taught that each of us have a responsibility to look out for our neighbors well-being. Loving our neighbors means physically and financially being there for them during difficult times. In the sotry of the Good Samaritan, the victim needed more than good wishes. He needed someone with compassion. Someone who would bandage his wounds, pour wine and oil on them, transport him to safety, and pay for his care. (Luke 10:30ff)
Often times, the Bible Belt is accused of not behaving much differently than the rest of the country. Maybe folks will notice, however, that looting and rioting haven't been a problem in Nashville. Rescue workers were not shot at and no one is blaming the President for global warming. Perhaps there is a correlation between the outstanding way Middle Tennessee has responded and the moral values generally embraced by its inhabitants.
Greg Clark
What are your thoughts? Send your comments to clarkg6@sbcglobal.net.
The Olympics :)
11 years ago
