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In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, I find myself grappling with a heaviness that feels unbearable. I have witnessed pictures of homes torn apart, communities submerged, and lives shattered by the storm’s fierce winds and unrelenting rain. But nothing strikes me as deeply as the stories of personal loss—stories that leave a lasting ache in my soul.

One that especially breaks my heart is of a woman who lost both her parents and her young son when their roof collapsed and they were swept away by the floodwaters. I can’t even begin to fathom her grief. How can you? How can any of us? It’s an unfathomable sorrow, the kind that makes you question how a heart can endure so much.

The devastation doesn’t end there. There are families still searching for loved ones they’ve not heard from. Pets and livestock washed away, some unable to escape pens. I’ve seen babies crying for formula while being rescued, children huddling with their pets, soaked and frightened, in boats surrounded by water. These images and the cries of the suffering are imprinted on my heart. It feels overwhelming. The sorrow is real, the loss profound. And in moments like these, we find ourselves asking, “How can we go on?”

So, how does our faith speak to us right now? How does it speak to those who’ve lost everything, even their own families?

We turn to God’s Word, and we see that Scripture does not shy away from the pain and heartbreak of the human experience. Job lost everything, yet in his despair, he clung to a belief that God was still there, even if he could not understand why the suffering came. Jesus himself stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus and wept, showing us that grief is not a sign of faithlessness—it is a reflection of our deep love.

In this time of hurt, our faith calls us to hold on to hope, not in the absence of suffering, but in spite of it. It does not offer quick answers or magical fixes, but it gives us a way to live through the pain. Jesus reminds us, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). God is not distant in our pain but is present, grieving alongside us, holding us as we weep.

And as we hold on to this hope, we also become bearers of that hope to others. How can we offer hope to those whose lives have been turned upside down? Through our presence, our prayers, our compassion, and our willingness to help rebuild. We can’t fix the heartbreak, but we can walk alongside those in pain, showing them that they are not alone, that there is still a community around them, and that God’s love can reach them, even in the darkest of times.

As we continue to witness and hear stories of unimaginable loss, let us keep asking how we can be the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in despair. Whether it’s through a warm meal, a donation, a prayer, or simply sitting with someone in their grief—this is how we live out our faith. We offer the presence of Christ, who is with us always, even in the storm.

In these difficult days, we can make a difference. I will continue to post updates and ways you can help with relief efforts on our website: https://www.broadstreetumc.org/hurricane-relief. Please check there for the latest information on how we can support those impacted by Hurricane Helene. Let’s come together in prayer and action as we support those in need during this time.

May we find the strength to hold onto that hope, and may we have the courage to extend it to others in the midst of this devastation. Keep praying, keep loving, and let us continue to hold onto the One who never lets go of us.

Peace, Pastor Tracy