21st day of Lent- Psalm 46:1-3

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult." Psalm 46:1-3

Who can forget Hurricane Katrina which made landfall in southeast Louisiana on August 29, 2005.  It is the third most intense hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. and at least 1245 died in the hurricane and subsequent floods.  I was nowhere near New Orleans, but the misery of the evacuees in the Superdome, the water pouring over the breached dikes,  and the inadequate government response on all levels are just some of the things I remember.  In the midst of such a tragedy, it is good to be reminded that God had not forgotten God's people.  God was present through Lutheran Disaster Response and other aid agencies that sought to respond to the many needs.  As Bishop H. Julian Gordy writes, "Across the country, Lutherans committed millions of dollars to the work of recovery... Local congregations, with the help of Lutheran Disaster Response, housed, fed, and directed the work of tens of thousands of volunteers who came to help rebuild homes and lives along the coast.
They gave comfort and hope.  We met Christ in them, and the raging waters did not have the last word."  

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  And how is God present?  Through the people who are moved to serve and respond to others in need.