ONE YEAR SINCE FLOODING CLAIMED LIVES IN TEXAS HILL COUNTRY

By Rev. Michael W. Newman
Retired Texas LCMS District President

Just mention a few dates or locations, and you will evoke strong emotions: September 11th, December 7th, Sandy Hook, Columbine. There are many more.

Nearly one year ago, Kerrville, Texas, was added to that terrible list as tragic flooding overwhelmed the Texas Hill Country. After being pummeled with rain by an unusual summer weather system, the Guadalupe River swelled to deadly proportions, sending a wall of water downriver that swept away homes, automobiles, RVs, and campground buildings. More than 130 precious people lost their lives, including a group of 8- and 9-year-old girls who were participating in what was supposed to be a fun and memorable Christian camp getaway.

The nation was shocked. Texas was heartbroken. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.

You see, the Texas Hill Country is a picturesque oasis of rolling geography set apart as a favorite place for camping, hiking, and visits to quaint small towns that dot the countryside.

It is also a special refuge in God’s beautiful creation for children and adults who want to experience a variety of Christian camp and retreat settings.

And that is why Texas was so sad. A place of beauty, a restoring refuge for young and old, and a setting for growing in faith became the source of unspeakable grief and loss.

How do collective hearts cope with this “loud” and public grief? What do we do when tragic events plunge a community or nation into anguish? How do you cope when the passing of time brings you back around to the dreaded dates of despair?

First, let grief press you into prayer. God’s Word declares, “What great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1a NIV).

Yes, we are children of God, knit together with Him through the atoning blood of Jesus, raised to walk in the newness of life in Baptism. We are not alone. Hearing His gracious invitation to “call upon me in the day of trouble” (Psalm 50:15a), we freely “Cast our cares” upon the Lord, “and he will sustain” us (Psalm 55:22a).

Let prayer be your first action — not worry, anxiety, fear, or hopelessness. We are confident in God’s promise that “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NIV). Pray for God’s gracious help, comfort, and hope. Invite others to do the same.

Second, let your sadness direct you to community. Collective grief not only validates the gravity of the loss; it underscores that God created people to be in community. Human beings need each other. The world buckles under the weight of loneliness. That is why God created the church — not just a building or organization, but people knit together under God’s grace and gifts to support one another, love one another, guide one another, and build one another up.

Don’t shoulder grief alone. Seek the company of God’s people to help and support you in your sadness. Talk together. Pray together. Worship together. Then, give of yourself to help others by contributing in some way. As people in this fallen world, we are called by God to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2a).

Third, let your heartbreak lead you to the consolation of God’s gifts. Too often, when a tragic event takes place, you will be tempted to devour every news source or scroll endlessly on social media. Your anxiety level will soar and any hope will be drained away. There is a better path for dealing with shared trauma in our world that groans (Romans 8:22-23).

Jesus calls us to “seek first (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). That means you need to monitor your intake. Instead of seeking worry-inducing information streams, God’s Word of comfort, grace, presence, and strength is at your fingertips to stabilize your life. It is also the source of Good News that will shape you into Jesus’ shining light of peace and hope for a broken world that weeps.

Yes, YOU bring God’s voice of hope to the loud and collective grief of the world.

The Rev. Michael W. Newman is the retired district president of the Texas district of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS).