In the Wake of Katrina

"As fish are caught in a cruel net,
or birds are taken in a snare,
so men are trapped by evil times
that fall unexpectedly upon them." Ecc. 9:12.

The Power of Disaster. The images are forever burned into our memories. Massive destruction of cities, homes and families. The enormity of the loss is almost impossible to comprehend. The wisdom of Solomon proclaimed in Ecclesiastes is powerfully evident as rich and poor alike were swept away by Katrina.

The Louisiana State Bar Association has even established a Hurricane Katrina Legal Community Relief Fund to help assist lawyers who lost their homes and offices in New Orleans. Maybe that won't be the Fund most people rush to support, but it certainly demonstrates the wide-spread impact of the disaster. Even so it is clear that the poor were the most devastated by this disaster.

The median household income in the most devastated neighborhood was $32,000 or $10,000 less than the national average. Two in 10 households in the disaster area had no car. Nearly 25% living in the hardest hit areas were below the poverty line, about double the national average.

The Power of Division. Times of crisis bring out the best and worst in us. Almost immediately criticsm was leveled at people who did not evacuate. With no car, little money, poor health, age or disability where were they to go? No doubt some made poor choices, but many did not have the choice. This of course creates more division. The fingers are pointing all the way up to the President as to why there was not a more effective response. At the same time criticsm is leveled at the speaker of the House for suggesting that we should examine whether to rebuild a city below sea level. Others criticize the City of New Orleans for choosing to build earthen dams that could only withstand a category three hurricane. While certainly there is an appropriate level of questioning that should take place so that we can learn from the crisis, the tendency of people to rush to negative responses in the midst of crisis is telling.

While many in crisis respond with negative criticsm, worse are those who respond with pure unadulterated selfishness. Looters and price gougers who can not even see anything wrong in profiting on the misery of others. We look in horror at the images but fail to identify any of the same selfish responses to conflict in our own hearts.

The Power of Dauntlessness. Out of the furnace of despair often emerges a refined courageous hope. Our people are resilient and the response of many through the Red Cross, Salvation Army and local churches has been very encouraging. Our governor is welcoming 2,500 displaced people and throughout the state of Illinois people are responding. In Elgin the first 150 of approximately 500 evacuees arrived to take up residence at the Elgin State Hospital. The local school district is making room for children to start classes and is putting out requests for clothing, bedding, toys, and personal items like soap, towels, toothpaste, etc. They need volunteers to sort donations, help in making sandwiches and meals, and organize games for children. If you can help call 847-742-1040 ext. 2048 and ask for Dolly.

Even lawyers are coordinating their efforts through the American Bar Association so that organizations like Administer Justice can provide free legal assistance to the displaced evacuees. There is much happening to inspire hope.

The Power of Divine. While the American spirit can unite and embolden action, ultimately true justice and hope can only be found in the Divine. As the pain of loss sinks in and many evacuees seek to end their life, it is only through pointing them back to the Life-giver that sustained hope can be found. Disaster, crisis and conflict always evoke powerful unanswerable questions. Those questions can divide and embitter us or they can humble and mold us. As the wisdom of Solomon again reminds us:

"By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
My son preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster ... for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor, 'Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow' -- when you have it with you....
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold." Prov. 3: 19-28, 13-14.

In the midst of pain there is promise. For those caught in the wake of Katrina there is one who promises safety, security and sweet sleep. For those of us who are neighbors there is a command to help those in need and the corresponding promise of blessing. In the midst of tragedy there is opportunity. Opportunity to rebuild, to start anew, and to refocus ourselves on the importance of faith, family and friendships. May we together offer our hopes and prayers for the hundreds of thousands effected by this tragedy.