Thank You

Oct. 23. Saying “Thank You” seems an easy thing to do, and yet when there are no words to describe how you feel it seems a daunting task.

For over 60 to 70 days there were people living and working alongside us who whether they know it or not have; improved living conditions, eased stressful situations, cooked and delivered hundreds of thousands of meals, lifted heavy loads, moved tons of debris, became friends and generally blessed us with their presence.

On the 22nd of Oct. my husband and I walked the halls of FBC Baytown feeling the emptiness and missing the “Beautiful Mess” more than those who’ve returned to their homes and families could dream. We spoke with one of the few remaining gentlemen later that evening and told him that we would miss them when they returned to their homes. He couldn’t believe it any more than we could grasp, weeks ago, why so many would come to help us.

It is unfathomable what has happened to us through the disaster brought by Hurricane Ike. To say that God works in mysterious ways seems almost an understatement. Our feelings are so fresh and run so deep that words fail.

Humbly I go to God with a heart so full, the only expression that seems to fit are the tears that fill my eyes. Knowing that He knows my every thought and feeling brings relief because “Thank You” just isn’t enough.

So, dear friends from North Carolina Baptist Men and Women & Red Cross, may God’s blessings fill your lives and families. May you know how you have blessed all those whose lives are touched by your generosity and willingness to be the ones to come in and face these formidable circumstances.

Though words fail, praying that you will know the depth of feeling these two words hold, I say “Thank You!”

Note: At any given time from Sept. 14th through the next sixty days you could find the halls and many rooms of our church lined with make shift beds. Some had air mattresses, some only a pallet on the floor. Every bed was neat and most of them had either their Bible or a momento from home laying on top. There were crates or boxes used as night stands with a picture or other momento sitting next to alarm clocks and brushes.

Many days I spent listening and watching as people came and went; working, visiting, meeting to share how they could do things more efficiently or where needs could be better met. We became a community, our church and the 300 plus who lived with us for those weeks post Ike. It left us forever changed and forever grateful to our God for the graciousness of these volunteers.

Thank You Father. Please continue to bless them for their willingness to help. Be with them and protect them in their work. Be with their families, provide and protect them as thier loved ones continue in their jobs. Be glorified through them, Lord and may many be reached for you because of them. And Father, I pray that you would give them a special blessing today. In Jesus name, Amen.