The UNITED States, May It Be So!

At this point in the history of the United States there are no Democrats, Republicans, Muslims, Jews, Christians, gay/straight couples, rich, or poor, alcoholics, unemployed, widows, hourly/salary, blue collar, or white collar.  We are Americans.  As of this writing 33 of our brothers and sisters are dead in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy's destruction.  Millions are without power, flood waters have swamped mass transit, homes and tunnels, fires have destroyed homes, and businesses and first responders and utility/emergency management workers are swamped.  Wall Street is on hold and making a trade should be the last thing on any one's mind.  The Presidential election is not the most important matter facing us at this very moment.     (Photo: Todd Maisel/New York Daily News)

People are hurting, broken, beaten and simply trying to survive.  Those trained in Disaster Relief are preparing to go to the northeast, en route, or already on the scene.  Mud out, chainsaw, portable laundry-shower facilities and feeding crews will soon be on the scene.  They will render physical aid, but they will also offer emotional support for those devastated by one of the largest storms to ever strike U.S. soil.

For those of us in regions spared by the storm, there but for the grace of God go you and I.  Though most of us cannot go to help, we can offer empathy, mutual concern, and care through our thoughts, prayers, financial support and blood donations as able.  People in New York, New Jersey, and those in the New England states are resilient people.  Yankees (I'm using that word in a positive way) are tough people.  Spend one winter in snow/ice country and you will gain a great appreciation for their tenacity.  They will get through this, but not without our help.

One of the most decent and honest things we can do (especially for Christ-followers) is to reject gossip and untruths attacking people, local, state and federal government leaders, or comments that seek to do political damage, or impede relief efforts.  This is not about ANYONE looking good, or criticizing emergency responses, decisions, disaster plans and utilities.  There will be an appropriate time for disaster evaluation, but not now.  Rumor, gossip and half-truth's do not help anyone.  It's not the time to argue about whether the crane over the luxury skyscraper in NYC was properly secured or not.  Just get the thing secured, or down as soon as possible.  One example of refuting untruths is the quick work done by bloggers and reporters to dispel the "doctored" photograph of the Statue of Liberty in the hurricane that started circulating on the Internet yesterday.   Right now it's about Americans coming to the aid of their fellow Americans and doing what's right! And we will.  Let's shine for the world and show them the best our country has to offer-----a helping hand, concern, care, resilience, compassion, and empathy for our fellow Americans who just happen to live in another part of our great country.

Here are Disaster Relief Links you can check out to donate, or help:

• Salvation Army Disaster Relief
• Samaritan's Purse Disaster Relief
• The American Red Cross
• Southern Baptists Disaster Relief