I live in Austin, which is Central Texas and the beginning of the Hill Country. The last few days have been filled with hurt, loss, and grief. Summer camp in Texas is a thing and while my daughter didn’t go to Camp Mystic, she did go to summer camp and then was a counselor at her camp. So many of her friends went to Camp Mystic and one of her friend’s sisters is a counselor there this summer. The flooding of the Guadalupe in Kerrville and Hunt has affected so many of us either directly or indirectly.

On Friday, the 4th of July, we were wondering if the rain would stop so that we could cookout and light some sparklers. Here in Austin, it did stop for a window of time. We had our friends over for what we called a three dog night – chili dogs, Chicago dogs, or just a good ole’ hot dog. We lit our sparklers and fireworks and went to bed happy.

We woke up Saturday the 5th to more rain and the horrific news of the flooding that happened on the Guadalupe while we slept. Campers and their counselors swept away from summer camp. Campers in RV’s and tents swept away from campgrounds. Words can’t fully express what I felt.

I know God. He is my Father. Jesus is my Savior. I know God’s character from reading and studying His word and from experiencing Him through His Holy Spirit in me. I know that Jesus doesn’t leave us alone and that He was with those and holding those who were caught in the flood. I know that everything is for and about His glory, but I could not see His glory in this and so I asked God, “Where is your glory? I know it is here, but I can’t see it. Please show me your glory, even in this.”

Today is Tuesday the 8th. The sun has come out and as I took a walk and talked with God, He brought to my mind all of the ways that people here in Central Texas, all of Texas, people from other states, and other nations have said prayers for those who are suffering, prayers for the rescuers, have sent donations to meet the needs of the people who have lost so much, and have come to help in the rescue and recovery operation. Some men from my church grabbed their chain saws and headed south to work with Austin Disaster Relief Network to help remove brush to aid in the recovery mission. HEB, our grocery store, loaded their trucks with food and supplies. This is where I saw God’s glory. Not in the flood or the disaster, but in people, whom God made in His image. His glory is reflected and seen in every person, every prayer, every donation. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40).

For now we live in a broken world, in the tension of floods that bring death and the goodness of God whose people care for and aid and assist those in need. The Good News is that God is still on His throne, Jesus is still the Savior, those little girls lost in the flood are now home in the arms of Jesus. He promises that He is coming back and He is good on His promises. While I wait, I keep looking for and seeing His glory.