This morning I took the puppies to the running trail we used to frequent once a week only to find that the majority of the trail was closed because of damage. I tried to remember the last time I had gone to this trail. I knew it was before Ben was born and then remembered that when we went to take newborn pictures a a part of it was closed as well. Had there really been parts of this trail closed for over a year off and on and I had no idea? How was that possible?
Certainly I have thought about the ongoing impact of the historic flood, especially in light of Hurricane Matthew’s recent visit. I have been involved in relief work off and on in my capacity as a local minister, but no matter how involved we are, if we are not directly impacted by natural disasters, then they slowly fade from our newsfeeds and slip from our minds.
In an effort to regain a sense of normalcy, we push the suffering of people out of our consciousness. When we do, we forget and by extension ignore the need that surrounds us. It’s a coping mechanism that is innately human and innately inhumane at the same time.
It’s not until our schedules, our routines, and our plans are impeded and have to be altered that our eyes are reopened. Thanks be to God for this reminder this morning.