Prayers for the Gulf Coast

I have not yet written about the tragedy that was and is Hurricane Katrina, but do so now even as my words are but nothing in the face of this catastrophe. The images and the stories keep coming and the news does not get better. This is natural disaster on a scale America has not suffered in a long time. From what we know, New Orleans and elsewhere are not only submerged in increasingly diseased-filled waters, but are also in the grips of anarchic gangs of looters and thieves who are turning violent. Many police do not even have stations from which to operate.

Someone even took a shot at a rescue helicopter.

How quickly we can be thrown back. God's wrath (or indifference? or test? or what?) has all but removed civilization from a wide swath of America. Oh, we will prevail. We will turn back the waters, we will rebuild and we will return, but the shock of it all will take time to subside. There will be scars there for decades.

We will overcome. We may not know why this happened, but we know what we have to do. Come together. Show compassion. Heal one another. That's why I hope all who read this who can spare even a penny, give to the relief effort.

Here is a link to reputable charities seeking donations.

Our prayers are with the people of the Gulf Coast.