Melancholia

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

I am normally fine with rain. I usually like it because I know that we all need it; humans, plants, animals. But, not today.

It’s raining here in Fayetteville today. There is historic flooding in Texas, thanks to hurricane Harvey. As I stare at the rain outside, and imagine how it would feel to be out in that, my heart just aches for the people in southeast Texas. People are trapped. Lives have been lost. Homes have been lost. There is devastation all around. And, while I am reading and seeing some amazing and uplifting stories of people coming together and working together and helping each other and saving each other, I still have this sadness, this dark cloud shrouding me.

I want to be in a position where I can stop what I am doing and go to Houston and help. I want to put my boots on the ground and work. I want my hands to be busy, reaching out. I want to do something useful and good and productive. Something to help other people. I want to be of service in some way.

Instead, I am here at work. Admittedly, I am typing this blog post and sharing my feelings, rather than doing the work I am paid to do. (But, in my defense, we are slow right now, so I thought I would put my down time to good use. I honestly believe that sharing our what is on our minds in times of sorrow can be restorative, especially for females.)

Regardless, I am not in a position where I can just up and leave and go help. My hubby and I have made monetary donations to two different organizations doing great work in the area. And, I have been praying and praying and praying for everyone out there. So, I am doing what I can do, what I know to do. Yet, somehow, it just doesn’t feel like enough.

Harvey feels like Katrina all over again. I just hate that people are feeling helpless. I can’t imagine anything much worse than that.

So, here I sit, being sad and wondering if there is anything else I can do.

I will end by sharing some lyrics from the Casting Crowns song “Praise You In This Storm”
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I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away