Peace Be Still

Today is the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. It's hard to imagine that it's been 16 years. I remember sitting in my apartment with my college roommates waking up to chaos in my house. We were glued to the tv. Classes were cancelled. People were trying to get in touch with loved ones. Phone lines were busy. There was a combined feeling of panic, fear, sadness, and disbelief. 

Today is almost Day 4 of Irma watch. As a New Orleans native, we have a love/hate relationship with water. We love its gifts ample fresh seafood, but hate its destructive power of hurricanes and floods.  It's easy to be reminded of Katrina or more recently Harvey. It's easy to let fear and anxiety set in. However, as a woman of faith, I am reminded that God has not given me a spirit of fear. I am reminded that even in the midst of a storm, with rain battering my window, God is still in control. My life and times are still in his hands, and I will remain in perfect peace. Peace doesn't mean nothing is going on. Peace doesn't mean that the storms of life won't rage around us. Peace is a choice. Peace is acknowledging that same God that allowed the storm to rage can cause it to be still. 

 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 (KJV)

Church & State

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Flashback to your high school Ethics class. Do you remember the discussion about the separation of church and state? America still has "In God We Trust" on their money, the Supreme Court has carvings of the Ten Commandments, and our Presidents are sworn into office with a bible. Some of the Founding Fathers of this country considered themselves Christians. Despite America's root in Christian theology, I would never consider America a "Christian" Nation. This is the same country that put a travel ban on Muslims.

Every day I see images of the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. I see people of all racial backgrounds and religions in shelters. I see people helping people in need. When tragedy strikes, politics don't matter. How you worship, or who you worship doesn't matter. America does not have a political or religious issue. America has a humanity issue. When churches don't open their doors and share the love of God, that's a problem. We are supposed to be "one nation under God," and yet we quarrel over what God. When the levees break, and the creek rises...who cares about the separation of church and state? Both should be working to help their neighbors, parishioners, and constitutents. 

The city that care forgot....

In light of recent events, I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the events of Katrina and now the events of Harvey. The pictures are eerily similar. I can't help but notice that 12 years later we still do not have the infrastructure we need to ensure the safety of all of our citizens regardless of their socio-economic status. It's utterly ridiculous. New Orleans was underwater earlier this month. Now, Texas is experiencing some of the same things New Orleanian's experienced during Katrina. We've got to do better. You can just switch out Bush for Trump. Below is a poem I wrote 12 years ago. Sadly, it's still relevant.  

I come from the city that Bush forgot

where flood water flowed through city blocks

born and raised on file from Gumbo pots

you’re looking at a graduate from the school of hard knocks

watched my people sleep on cots in the Astrodome

wonderin’ if they will ever make it back home

my mother was one of those people in the dome

I’ve got more than bone to pick with my government

If tax dollars were better spent

Then maybe the core of engineers would have designed a better blueprint

Maybe then Kathleen Blanco would have signed the document

Maybe so many lives would not have been lost because of negligence

I’ve always questioned our president’s intelligence

This was an act of treason, can we please get an impeachment?

Our elders died on pavements in front of convention centers on CNN

And New Orleans’ hero was Anderson Cooper and Sean Penn

I come from the city that Bush forgot

Poydras and Claiborne was the auction block

They let bodies rot, on the interstate

And relief came too late

For those who died in attics long after Katrina’s arrival date

Friends and family scattered around the continental United States

I come from the city that Bush forgot

Where flood waters flowed through city blocks

Born and raised on file from Gumbo pots

You’re looking at a graduate from the school of hard knocks

That’s why I rock, t-shirts that pose the question

Does Bush care, NO he forgot