Calls Beyond The Storm – Living In A Connected World
By The Rev. Christopher Smith. Posted on .
Natural disasters help highlight relationships and interconnectedness in today's world
- “I wanted to let you know that people here are asking me about Sandy and how people were impacted. They are truly concerned about all of you and, while they haven’t said it, I know that all of you who are impacted are in their daily prayers. They honestly don’t care the faith of the people who were impacted, they just care that people lost lives, dear ones, and homes.” An American in Palestine
- “having a rum and coke for my mom…because I don’t do fruit drinks” Midwest Pastor
Even in New York, people respond in different ways:
- Some need to be able to take a break to be able to sustain their efforts, but yet feel support form the connections all the different relationships provide: “I need to go off the grid for the night and decompress…God bless each and every one of you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.” New York Pastor
- Others look at bigger issues or even attempts to bring humor back into everything that is going on: “How can we have a ‘winter storm warning’ when it is autumn? Shouldn’t it be an ‘autumn storm that has winter-like temperatures, precipitation and wind’ warning?” Connecticut Psychologist
- Others realize that there are justice issues and that there is a lot of difference in our experiences of the recovery: “Lots of people still sitting in unheated houses in the dark around here, long after neighbors (like me) have had power restored. Not fun when it’s snowing.” New Jersey Pastor
- Even others are getting angry at what is going on especially as they feel more and more isolated from the positive directions others are facing. And of course, there are those who are trying to find ways of getting ahead in the new realities “I wonder if I should use my nurse’s id to jump the gas line” New York Nurse.
We do live in a connected world. This world brings with it all sorts of new types of relationships, including ones that are much more significant for one side than the other. This makes it more important for us to think about who we need to call after the storm. Doing so, and keeping the relationships in perspective, can help us maintain peace and wholeness in our lives.
More from YourTango: 10 Alternate Mother's Day Activities
