An old friend who lives in Panama City stopped by yesterday to see me at Monet Monet. It was a fresh reminder of what they are still going through only a short distance away.
The devastation that Panama City and surrounding communities have experienced was, and yes, still is, totally devastating.
Imagine a storm so big that it totally wipes out community after community. We understand hurricanes in the south, however, with the many winter visitors we have right now, you may understand what a tornado can do best.
Think about it, a tornado can wipe out a house or two, or yes, even a block or more at a time. Taking the pieces off the homes and trees, and yes, turning them upside down. Total Devastation.
Now, imagine a tornado taking out, not just a few homes, but the trees and homes in a fifty or more square mile radius. If you can even imagine that in your mind, then yes, you’ve seen what has happened just a short distance to the east from where we stand today. Total Devastation.
I read a story that in Panama City (Bay County) alone, they have picked up over 20 years of debris, and no, they’re still not finished. This is around 5 million cubic yards of debris, and when it’s all said and done, officials are expecting to have about 9 million cubic yards of debris cleared. Again, Total Devastation.
We’re over here in our pretty little world, and yes, we tend to forget that this is still going on only a short distance away. The people want to rebuild, however, some cannot for the funds are just not available. Insurance companies don’t pay like they should. Many have fallen into depression, and no, truly have no idea how to start over. It’s overwhelming, and yes, heartbreaking to think about what they’re still going through today.
There are people still living in tents, and yes, living in homes with no roofs, But yet, we see how resilience keeps kicking in, and yes, how faith and hope keeps them moving. We see the communities binding together and depending on one another to help each other get back up on their feet, and yes, back into their homes, to yes, begin living a somewhat normal life again.
Yes, this will happen in time, and yes, as with all tragedies there are stories of good. People have rallied to help, but most importantly, HOPE IS STILL STANDING.
The truth is, it’s through our faith in God, and yes, in the hope that we carry because of Him, that yes, we can trust, one hundred percent, that yes, He’s going to see us all through.
So yes sweet friends, for us on this side, we simply must not forget our neighbors. We must do what we can, with what we have, and yes, where we’re able. It’s too big of a job for one of us alone. It takes an army of faithful followers to dive in, and yes, bind together in His love, which yes, is a love, like no other love, we’ll ever know.
For yes, God is love, He love us big, and without a doubt, forever and a day .. haha .. oh yeah .. love wins period
“The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34: 17-18
#lovewinsperiod #HopeStillStands #850strong #panhandlestrong #peoplelovingpeople #lovelikejesus #OperationRebuild #LETSGO!