Today, on the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I want to share with you something I learned from that tragedy.
My husband and I grew up in south Mississippi and have lived in Louisiana (including New Orleans) and south Alabama. So, we pretty much grew up hearing about hurricanes. I remember my parents discussing Hurricane Camille being the worst Hurricane in the country in history. Of course, that was before Katrina, who I believe takes that distinction now.
We lived in East Brewton, Alabama when Hurricane Ivan hit that area. After the storm passed through, we only had tree branches down all around our house; but, no damage to the house. We were without power for a week, I think. As a side note, I would like to encourage you to give to disaster relief organizations.
When you have been without power for several days, there is nothing sweeter than the sound of big rigs coming to your neighborhood to deliver cold water and ice. It really makes you appreciate the little things. Also, you become so ready to eat something besides potted meat and crackers, which is something I would never eat normally! :-p
Anyway, I digress! Reading the title, you may have assumed that we lived in New Orleans or on the Gulf Coast when Katrina hit that area. However, we lived in Brookhaven, MS at the time. Brookhaven is about two hours inland. There was damage to the area; but, it was mostly due to the tornado spinoffs. We were without power for a few days; but, it was nothing like the Gulf Coast.
My husband has been a minister for 18 years of the 23 years that we have been married. I am currently working as a ministry assistant/financial secretary for a Baptist association; so, I'm technically still in the "ministry."
However, back in 2005, I worked for a regional cell phone carrier as a customer service representative in their call center. I don't know how many of you have ever worked in a call center; but, let's just say that, most people do not generally speaking call to brag on their service....instead, they are mad; because their cellphone dropped a call, text messages will not go through, the bill was higher than they thought it would be, and anything else that you can think of. Usually, you are trying to calm them down. It was very difficult to see that job as a ministry.
We re-opened the day after Hurricane Katrina made landfall. That day, we didn't have customers who were mad. They were scared and desperate. Many of them had family members who were missing. They were desperate to get them to answer their phones. Some of them, after spending hours on the phone with my family and insurance companies, were scared about how much they would owe our company.
That day (weeks and probably months) that job felt most like a ministry. When someone called looking for a loved one, we took the number and dialed the number over and over. It was the company's hope that we would be able to help connect them. In some cases, we were. We also able to give credits to many cellphone bills.
It was a wonderful thing to see and to be a small part of. That company was not the only company who took the same approach during that time. Many businesses were forgiving debts/bills to help those who were hurting.
I had been praying for God to provide me a different job; because, it was so stressful. He did that just a couple of months later. However, I am glad He kept me there during that post-Katrina month. I would have missed that month of helping those who were hurting.
So, my encouragement for today is even when you hate your job, pray and ask God to help you to not miss the ministry opportunities. They may not be of Katrina proportions; but, it could still be huge to a person who is struggling.
Also, when you are praying for God to provide you a new job and He has not answered yet...maybe, just maybe, there's something about to happen that He doesn't want you to miss! :-)
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