WHAT WILL BRING US TOGETHER

        While it was sad to see the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey these past days, the cooperation of so many people helping others, locally and from distant places, was truly heart-warming. The enormity of the task of helping those who’d been flooded by the raging storm was almost matched by the enormity of the numbers who stepped up and helped out, doing what needed to be done.
        After hearing of all the division in America, it was wonderful to see people cooperating. Even the noise of the few angry demonstrators was drowned out by the thousands of those transporting, feeding and helping people and their pets. The political rhetoric was more subdued for awhile and it was good to see a few elected officials taking part in rescue efforts.
        Now this week comes another storm called Hurricane Irma which is rapidly approaching our East Coast, coincidentally coming at the same time as Congress returns from its August recess. In a few days, will we be able to tell who is making more noise, nature or Capital Hill? Will our nation’s capital itself be smashed with a huge storm? And since it is where they live and work, will any of our politicians will help out or just take cover until the storm passes?
        What it would be like if all 535 members of Congress would by necessity be gathered together in one huge building to help rescue Irma’s storm victims? Imagine if Congressmen had to rescue each other! Would such help be accepted, or would a flooded Red hand slap away a helping Blue hand? Might the whole affair become an endless photo op for use in fundraising?
        We’ve asked over and over, “What will it take for our country to come together?” Folks, we have the answer. Storm and devastation will do it, if we will just not run from it. Even tragedy can do it. We can only hope and pray, however, that the misguided leaders of North Korea won’t decide to blow some place on earth to smithereens just to prove they can do it. That kind of tragedy would escalate into the unthinkable. “From such a thing, Good Lord, deliver us!”

“Save us, God our Savior; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, and glory in Your praise.” (1 Chronicles 16:35)

Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com