One Year After the Nashville Floods

As I remember the events of one year ago today, it is greatly disturbing to see the images that are coming out of Alabama and a little frightening to hear of more possibilities for flooding in the Nashville area. Though my family is definitely on a path of recovery from the storms, I am reminded how much our lives can change in the blink of an eye. I could have never dreamed the journey that my family has made in the last year and hurt for those who are now dealing with all kinds of losses. I know so many who are still recovering from the storms of last year, those who are affected in some way by the storms of this year and even as I am writing this a friend of my daughter is in the hospital with a fractured skull. Illness, disaster, accidents, injury and death are all terrible things that often occur without notice and forever change our lives. Some wounds heal and some do not. Physical injuries often leave scars, but too often we do not attend to the scars left on our hearts and souls by such things. Too many times in the last year people (with good intentions) have asked if we are back to normal yet. I am sure others in traumatic circumstances have been asked similar questions. My family is on a path of economic recovery. We are in a new place to live, but the members of my family still have struggles related to the things we have been through. I do not know when we will be back to “normal” though.

Whenever I talk about these things, however, I feel compelled as the Psalmist did to also affirm that in the midst of these challenges, there is a goodness of God and a kindness of others that has been wonderful. Being able to affirm these things does not change our circumstances or magically fix all that is wrong, but it is a reminder that we are not alone. I have been inspired to try to give to others as much as I can – to be that presence for them. At the Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee, where I work, our slogan is “Seeking to Embody the Healing Presence of God”. I believe that we do that in our work, but so many have been that kind of presence for me through the years and specifically during the last year. How wonderful it would be if each person thought of their purpose in life as to seek to embody the healing presence of God. There would probably be a lot less division and hatefulness, a lot less war and strife, and less poverty and disease.

Yes, it has been one year since the rains in Nashville took our house. We continue to bear the scars on our minds and souls. We continue to struggle in other ways too, but in the midst of the struggles, there is a peace and a joy that can only come from being grounded in the ever present love of God. Thanks be to God for those who have sought to embody God’s presence for me and my family. May God use me to embody that presence for others in the years to come.