By Jared Woodfill,
Editor-in-Chief, CRTXNews.com
President, Conservative Republicans of Texans
Over the past few days, my family and I experienced and lived through hurricane Harvey and its impact on the Houston area. As we have all worked to rebuild our city and assist others during the past week, I began to reflect on how Houstonians, Texans and others from around the country have reacted to this natural disaster. The more I reflected, the more encouraged I became. I could not help but think about how, during this time of devastation for so many, we have witnessed the best in our community. From day one, churches, first responders, individuals, charitable organizations, officials, and so many have rolled up their sleeves to help their brothers and sisters in their time of need. Our television screens, computers, and newspapers, often bear witness to the worst in our fellow man; however, over the past week, while we have seen the worst in the weather, we have witnessed the best in people. I can’t tell you how many folks I have met who have lost everything the world values — homes, cars, furniture, and even loved ones, and while dealing with these personal losses, their most valuable commodity, time, is being spent helping others in need. Whether it be donating food and clothing, taking in a neighbor whose home was destroyed, buying groceries for a family in need, stripping soaked dry wall, or working at a shelter, Houstonians have demonstrated their commitment to their neighbor. For a brief moment, we are not Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, or any other race or nationality, we are one people united to help their brothers and sisters in their time of need. Through their actions, we are seeing the hands and feet of Jesus at work. If only this respect and love for our fellow man could survive this storm, imagine what our city, state, and country would look like. Imagine the glory it would bring to our Lord Jesus Christ.
The eyes of the nation have been watching and praying for southeast Texas. In fact, our President designated Sunday, Sept. 3, as a National Day of Prayer for those recovering from Hurricane Harvey. From a church in Rockport, Texas, the area where the eye of hurricane Harvey made landfall, Gov. Greg Abbott, Vice President Mike Pence and Rev. Franklin Graham, issued a proclamation last Thursday naming Sunday, September 3rd as a Day of Prayer for Texas. President Donald Trump encouraged all Americans to seek the help of our Lord in responding to the disaster. In a statement, Governor Abbott said, “Throughout our history, Texans have been strengthened and lifted through prayer, and it is fitting that Texans join together in prayer in this time of crisis.”
Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse staff and disaster relief units and many others from out of state are also on the ground in coastal Texas and ready to help homeowners impacted by Hurricane Harvey’s winds and flooding. In fact, it was our friends from Louisiana, the Cajun Navy, that rescued hundreds of folks. Repairing and rebuilding has begun and will continue for many months. As Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse noted, “We are going to need an army of volunteers to help tear out damaged drywall, remove flooring, tarp roofs, and clear debris from flooded homes. Most importantly, we’ll be there to show storm victims the love of Christ and share the eternal hope of the Gospel with them.”
The storm has passed but the recovery has just begun. It will take all of us working together to rebuild southeast Texas. As a Texan and a Houstonian who experienced the impact of Harvey, I know we can do it, and do it quickly. I also know it will take all of us helping our neighbors to get it done. Most importantly, we must continue to stay on our knees in prayer to the One who sticks closer than a brother, our Lord Jesus Christ!
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