Keeping Your Head above Water
Picture in your mind a ten-foot sunflower, proud and stately, its’ beautiful yellow flower full of promised seeds. Now you see its’ face thrashing to and fro above nine and a half feet of dirty, brown floodwater. You look past it and see your home flooded to the second level, your barn and shed are moved from their foundation, and you no longer see your car.
But, you still see the face of the sunflower vigorously moving in the thunderous river water.
Holding on, refusing to give up, its roots dug deep into the soil.
In September 2011, a flood attacked Waverly New York, South Waverly, Sayre, and Athens, Pennsylvania, known as The Valley, with a ferocious appetite. It gobbled homes, barns, cars, trucks, playgrounds, and even bridges.
The Chemung River from the west roared into the Susquehanna at Athens, Pennsylvania. The River was merciless. She wreaked havoc all two hundred miles southeast as she raced to the ocean.
The flood stole books, photos, and family heirlooms that could not be replaced. This thief took so much more than the material things. It robbed people of their security, and a sense of permanence. Many lost hope, their faith replaced by depression and even despair.
Thirty families were living in FEMA trailers hoping and praying they could go back to a home made livable again. Others families were with friends, relatives, or even in motels.
People from all over the United States came to volunteer. They helped with the mud shoveling, cleaning, wiring, and anything else they could do for those in need. Others contributed food, clothing, and money, over and over to help the flood victims. Still, others gave precious time to listen to the horror victims felt.
But, God sent hope in a myriad of ways. In the midst of this catastrophe, God continued working. People helping people, neighbors side by side rebuilding, helping friends and strangers return to their homes, their lives, and most of all, their identity.
Like the sunflower still standing, holding its head high in the storm, we too can stand in God’s love and rest in His goodness. He has not forgotten us though it may feel that way. He is an ever-present help to those in time of need.
Together the Valley did rebuild their faith and hope stronger than ever.