Flowers of Hope by Sara Miller

Here's another New Orleans story. Enjoy!

"I have worked in disaster relief for the past six months. During this time, I have seen and heard many touching stories. But one event will forever stick in my mind.

It was during my first weeks working in St. Bernard Perish which is about 20 minutes from central city. I was riding with a co-worker, my eyes glued to the devastation around me. As we turned a corner, I saw a woman planting flowers around her house. I was shocked! It was as though I had been seeing in black and white, these flowers being my first glimpse of color. It was intriguing. What caught my eye next made my heart break--the unmistakable orange sign on the house indicating that it was condemned and scheduled for demolition. I cried, and then I wept. To me the flowers represented hope and new life, and I questioned how she could be so bold after suffering through so much.

For weeks afterward, I couldn't get this out of my mind. So, I bought some flowers and planted them outside of m y FEMA trailer. And do you know what? I would come home after a hard day and those beautiful flowers brought a smile to my face. It made me realize that hope is a truth. It isn't just a feeling. It isn't always logical, but it exists whether we acknowledge it or not.

This reminds me of when Jesus was talking to His disciples in Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden' nor does anyone light a lamp and put in under the basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

When we talk to a homeowner we hear of the hope they have now that they are one step closer to the final product. But we also hear their struggle with the question: Who would come hundreds or even thousands of miles to serve me and my community? Just like those beautiful flower s, Christians are a brilliant light in a dark world.

My prayer for New Orleans and neighborhoods all over the world is that our actions and words would surprise people. Intrigued, they will search for an answer. And do you know what they will find? That hope is a truth, that has existed throughout all time, and that they are ready to accept it."


(Taken from the Disaster Update by TouchGlobal--the compassion ministries arm of The Evangelical Free Church)