Good morning!
We also receive tantalizing hints
of rain most days. But most days the
rain doesn’t get to where we are. The
main source of water for the City of Wichita and most of Sedgwick County is
Cheney Lake…but it’s getting lower and lower as the rains mostly miss the area
in Kansas that drain into the lake. We
may well be receiving more water restrictions than what are now voluntary
before too much longer. We’re well below
conservation pool now at the lake, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get
much better any time soon.
Of course, we could be in other
parts of the Midwest where there is way too much water. Rivers and streams are out of their
banks. Dams are in danger of collapse. Homes and businesses are flooded.
I don’t know if you’ve been in a
flooding situation or not. As you may
imagine, it’s just a mess. Trash, mud,
and general destruction is all around.
The water is polluted and not fit for people to be messing with or to be
in. The clean up is hazardous and time
consuming. Most insurance policies will
not cover flooding, and flood insurance can be out of reach for many. As I said, it’s just a mess. I sometimes wonder if, having to choose
between flooding and tornado hitting my home, I might just choose the tornado.
Of course, the heat outside is
largely mitigated for many of us who have air conditioners in our homes,
offices, and vehicles. The cost of
having and using that air conditioning isn’t minimal, and there are many who
cannot afford it.
Then there are those who are
unhoused. They’re out in the elements
whether they want to be or not. Yes,
there are public buildings where they can congregate. And yes, there are some…I repeat SOME…shelter
beds for men, women, and families. But
there aren’t nearly enough to house everyone.
Many make do by being in the shade, finding water and electrolytes in
various places, and just doing without.
It’s not easy being outside in this kind of weather. And just as it is when it is extremely cold
outside, the heat takes its toll on the weak and sick. People become ill, and some don’t make it to
the next day.
So, what has all of this got to do
with the Thursday Thought for this week?
Just this. Earlier today, Curtis,
our lead minister and I had a prayer time.
We try to do this every week. Sometimes
we think of those in our congregational or blood families who are hurting or in
some kind of need. Sometimes we talk
about our respective work at the church.
However, our main topic of conversation today was the incredible
blessings each of our families experience each day.
We talked about the fact that we
have enough, and more than enough. We thought
about times when we meet and interact with those who may well not have
enough…who may be alone…who may be unhoused or without transportation.
We talked some about a man who
came into the office yesterday afternoon…didn’t ask for anything such as food
or water…but who just wanted to be given the dignity of being heard. He was a scruffy-looking individual. His appearance was years beyond his actual
age. And he was a Gay man. It was very evident his life had not been
easy. According to him, he had been
turned away from some other churches that day, and ended up here in our office
pouring out his soul. We had no ready
answers for him, but validated his self-worth as a human by listening. Curtis prayed over him. We gave him some water. And he went on his way, at least having been
afforded a dignified hearing by someone who genuinely cared.
I don’t know what your lot in life
is right now. You may be in the arms of
a comfortable existence. Or you may be
in some kind of great need. You may be
the picture of health. Or you may be
battling some kind of dreaded illness.
We all are in different stages of life and living. Regardless of our circumstance, the two
greatest commands are still in force.
Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And love your
neighbor as yourself. On these hinge all
that is good, right, and beautiful in life.
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