Overflow

It must have been awful to stand at the bridge watching people helplessly being washed away by the strong torrents of water.

Ondoy was a true heartbreaker devastating homes and grieving families who had to leave all they had to scurry for their lives and lost a loved one in the process.

Most of us most have held our breath as we stared at the desperation of people literally doing a tightrope walk on sagging electric wires. It was good enough that the lines were automatically off – or perhaps the power just died with the strength of the storm but that was a big blessing in itself albeit the wreckage.

Now the call is again for citizens of the world to help affected humanity build back their lives. There are no more boundaries of nations here. Only a human race that cries for relief from a deep ache of a ravaged spirit.

The need is for more than relief goods, clothing and shelter. It extends to therapy.  A listening ear, a hand to hold, a professional leading for a heart that is overwhelmed with anguish at the unexpected turn of events. It calls for prayer and action.

As I saw cars drift, bang, and pile up one after the other I could not help but wonder how many of them were paid up. Really! Imagine the woe of a new car, just loaned from the bank with force majure as a reason for the ruin. And think about the burden of the insurance company as they take up more claims for repair and total wreck or the dent on a struggling business when they realize they have to buy another delivery van as they strive to keep their enterprise afloat.   All blood pressure levels may be high with this recent crisis.

Still, I believe there is a solution to all of this. And as God has awakened us to our need for each other, we must then respond by helping one another. 

The Disaster Coordinating Councils of the different cities and municipalities in Cebu and the Department of Social Welfare are accepting donations in their offices. All the business chambers like Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mandaue Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Indusry are accepting support from its membership in their offices which could be added to the relief items of the local government units and national government agencies.

As we do these things, let us not forget to fervently pray for strength and endurance for both the affected and the volunteers. Let us also come up with an inventory of our preparedness. Oftentimes we only react and not proact. Let us continue to take care of the environment even if it seems like catching up is nil. Let us press on with keeping our homes and our community clean, with sewage paths free of obstruction from the wastes that we dispose so we do not clog up the free flow of water and result to bursting pipelines and overflowing canals. Let us strive to live simply where we do not have too many excesses in our closets, too many clothes and shoes unworn is sinful when you see others in the cold. Too many items in our storage only attract more rodents and bugs that would increase disease.

Our God promised that He would not destroy the world again with water. Yet we know that more is yet to come. Like birthpains, as it is described in the Bible. With increasing spasms as one is nearing crowning. With increasing frequency as our Savior is about the come.

I used to argue with my Bible teacher when she would give me ominous messages and say my God is not a God who threatens. 

When I watched the movie “Oh God!”, George Burns reminded me that sometimes we need to be shaken to waken. When all is well and good, we forget that we have to pray and be thankful too. Besides, it takes a catastrophe for us to remember God!

Now, I am not saying this to paint a bad picture of our God. Instead I am just thinking out loud as I realize that it is true, we tend to believe God when we see big things like this happen.

How prepared are our souls? I know this question is feared. I fear this too. Disasters of this magnitude need not be the only eye opener to the volatility of our existence. Some things are eminent and we can go anytime, any way, anywhere.

While here, let us enjoy God’s treat by taking care of His blessings and keeping the faith, knowing that God’s nature is to love and protect us. Let us experience of the overflow of God’s enduring love as we tide over these events.