Bouncing back after Katrina

By Felicia (Fee) Benamon

If there is anything I've learned from Katrina is that when it comes down to it, when faced with a disaster or hit on our nation, we are not Democrats or Republicans, but Americans helping each other. I was on a warpath to play the blame game like I've seen play out in the political arena. At this time, what good will it do? I've watched TV footage from the past week of such devastation, and finger pointing, witnessing such raw emotion. It all seems chaotic, and I don't want to add to that.

Instead, I want to uplift at a time such as this. America sure has had her share of battles to deal with. But each time, we spring back, and are even more resilient than before. And I fully believe that the victims of Hurricane Katrina will come out of this struggle and tragedy with a better quality of life. So many caring people have stepped in to help...local states have donated shelters, local churches stepping up to donate and offer shelter, ordinary Americans opening their homes, organizing relief drives, and donating where they can, etc. There has been a tremendous effort to make sure Katrina evacuees have what they need. In my area in Tennessee, employers are offering jobs to evacuees so that they can immediately get back to some sense of normalcy and get back on their feet. Evacuees are even getting free beauty treatments at the local barber and beauty shops! At the college game...University of Memphis and Ole Miss, donations were taken up for Hurricane relief. I am glad to see so many cities willing to do all they can to make sure that evacuees are well cared for. The children, going back to school. This shows the heart of America. We are to take care of each other.

So to Katrina evacuees, we are here for you in every way. Don't despair or look back on a life you once lived. Because there are many people in this country who care and are willing to help you succeed after the storm.

Words of Encouragement

No doubt many of us invited victims of Hurricane Katrina to our Sunday services as we worshipped. There were many questions I'm sure why Katrina happened. The suffering, the loss. In church, we comforted and prayed for those who have suffered through Katrina, and a guest speaker offered words of encouragement which I want to share with you.

Touching on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30), our guest speaker Johnny Lee Cook, President of North Carolina College of Theology (and former actor on the show HeeHaw...from 1972-1975) made sure to point out that you may be WOUNDED, but it means YOU ARE NOT DEAD YET! So get up, and shake yourself off, get back up, and keep going! Secondly, help is on the way! It may not come exactly where you'd expect it to come from (from say, the Federal Government for example...even though tremendous efforts have been made by the Federal Government to help) , but help is on the way! And third, don't become bitter. Stay "sweet", in all situations, have a positive attitude.

When looking at the spiritual aspect in dealing with the pain Katrina brought to millions, we must remember, "what does not kill us, makes us stronger". Sometimes we have to go through the storm to come out stronger and better off than we were before. So don't allow bitterness or anger to consume you. You are still alive, and blessings will flow from your tragedy. Stay positive and God will see you through. Things will always work out.

"And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

We are certain to have more natural disasters come our way, or struggles to face in the future. The correct response is not to place blame, but to work together. That is how we will succeed, how we will survive.

I am hoping that this goodwill continues long after the last Hurricane survivor is taken care of. Because America truly shines when we are reaching out to others in our own communities...setting the standard for how other countries should treat their citizens: with love and compassion. Let us not forget that.

*If this message has been a blessing to you, please email me. Tell me your story, let me know if I have helped in some way.

Felicia (Fee) Benamon