It took a hurricane to really test what I had learned as a
youth ---- love your neighbors, look out for them, give them as much of your
heart as you give to your own well-being.
We had been warned for several days that Hurricane Sandy was
coming. Radio and T.V. news advised listeners to get a supply of things
like flashlight batteries, and some listeners took it one step further and
purchased generators, fully expecting the electric power to be down for
days. Others made plans to leave town and stay with friends or relatives
further inland who could be expected to have heat and light. Some people
never got around to doing any of these things before the storm hit.
Here is my question: What is MY obligation to
those who did not plan ahead so as to take care of themselves during and after
the storm? We had expected the high-speed, gusty winds, which uprooted
big trees and broke tree limbs, which in turn came crashing down on power
lines. The next day there were many roads blocked by fallen debris and live
wires. First Responders were called to pump out flooded basements and to
take some neighbors with strokes and heart attacks to local hospitals, some of
which were operating on back-up electricity generators.
Meanwhile, some Jersey Shore residents refused to
evacuate. They said their house had been in the family for 30 or 40
years, and had survived many past storms, so they would stay there to contain
the storm damage as it occurred. Later, some would regret that decision
---- should the First Responders save them regardless of the danger they had
created for the rescuing First Responders?
Up in Morris County, away from the Shore, some people
planned for the safety of themselves and their families ---- only to have a
large tree come crashing unexpectedly through the roof of their house.
And then there were Senior Citizens living alone in
retirement, apart from the rest of their family. The plan of some Seniors
was simply to call on their adult children if anything came along beyond
their control. However, the problem was that some of their adult children
had forgotten to tank-up their cars, and some of their cars had been damaged by
fallen trees. So, some Seniors then had to depend on neighbors, or just
hope for the best!
While some people had never made plans for their own
protection, others had pretty good plans which were defeated by the forces of
nature. I wonder if there is any simple answer to how big our helping
role should be in these situations? How much should we share of the
time, encouragement and resources, which we might otherwise keep for our own
use? So, when other peoples' welfare is at stake, where do we draw the
line between "deserved" assistance and "UN-deserved"
assistance?
Is this situation a time for some kind of forgiveness?
After all, it might spare someone needless suffering ---- it might not be
merely a matter of providing extra blankets because their furnace is no longer
working.
One of the problems with forgiving someone for their
planning failures is the "double standard".
We saw the dangers coming and purposefully avoided
them. Shouldn't others pay for the consequences if they were less
vigilant, less organized, less focused on out-foxing the hurricane?
Many times I see no simple answer to such questions.
Perhaps the negligence of some person also sealed the fate of his wife and
children. Should all of them pay for the consequences? We all make
mistakes --- if I am in the position to help or save someone, perhaps I should
ask no questions, and just do the necessary to the fullest extent I am able.
My mother used to tell her young son, "God helps those
who help themselves." Now, I think there is also a second
sentence: "God also helps those responding to folks who have failed
to help themselves."
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These thoughts are brought to you by CPC's Adult
Spiritual Development Team, hoping to encourage you to pursue some personal
spiritual growth this Spring at CPC.
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