Where Does The Heart Of America Lie?

Normally I write articles after much research and reflection, but I am writing this one with ease and very little effort. I am able to accomplish this because of the generous nature I have witnessed on behalf of Americans over the past weeks. This heartfelt message goes out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and to Americans throughout this nation and around the world.

9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Tsunami, Earthquakes, Columbine, D.C. sniper, Challenger explosion, and the list goes on. Numerous are the tragedies that has befallen this nation. As America reels from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, I ask you: How much more can she take? What will happen next?

As I write to you, this country is celebrating the anniversary of 9/11. It’s hard to believe that it has been 4 years since 2,700 + people perished as terrorist planes slammed into the twin towers destroying the surrounding buildings as well as causing enormous damage to the Pentagon.

Every time we pick up the newspaper or listen to the evening news, America has suffered yet another tragedy.

So where does the heart of America lie? Is it in her natural resources, her economy, or in the multitude of people to whom she lends assistance? The heart of America lies in her ability to perform under pressure. After 9/11, America brushed off the debris from the smoldering buildings and she went to work: restoring and rebuilding.

It’s amazing how tragedy brings out the best in some people and the worst in others. We saw the worst when Katrina battered the Gulf Coast leaving people scrambling for shelter. In the wake of the disaster, people were left to survive on their own in the worst of conditions. As we watched the drama unfold, we kept asking ourselves, "Is this America; the richest country in the world." What we saw resembled a third world nation and what we heard was the screams of the hungry and the hurting. Streets were riddled with food, trash, disease and unfortunately, death.

Just as we saw the worst occurring in one part of the globe, the exact opposite was happening in another area of the country and aboard. As I write to you, I am actively participating in one of the greatest expression of love and caring this country has ever seen. From grade school children emptying their piggybanks so that other children can get what they need; to citizens opening up their homes and their hearts to many of the victims, we are seeing the heart of America. From campaigns, concerts, telethons, donation centers, everyone is coming together for this worthy cause.

Katrina has taken away a great deal in a short time, but we cannot let it cause us to lose hope. Our job, and it will be a monumental task, is to reach out so that all of God’s children will benefit. Let this tragedy serve to make us a better people, who love unconditionally. Let us live out the true meaning of the declaration made by Jesus to his father, "Make them ONE as we are ONE."

I am working with one of the local church shelters, and as people pour in, each brings with them their own account of the tragedy. Although the stories they tell me are different, my reply to them is usually the same. We will rise from this, and it, too, will pass. The Bible declares that our latter days will be greater than our former. Katrina will be no different. She has been credited with being the worst catastrophe or set of catastrophes in our nation’s history. To that reply I say, God is El Shaddai, "the God that provides for us." Katrina may have been great, but a greater than Katrina is here, and ready to hear our cry.

As I write, I keep thinking about America. I have listened to the songs, watched the telethons, and the question stays on my mind. What will happen to America? The President has vowed to spend billions but can America be rebuilt? Sure many people will go back to New Orleans and attempt to recreate what once was, but can you rebuild moments in time? There are questions on the minds of many people, but the questions many will ask are: Can the Big Easy survive? Will it ever recover? More importantly, "Will America recover?"

America, the country who has assisted everyone else, now finds herself in need of assistance. Will someone step up and assist her? The suffering of Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq, and Africa has now come to America. Will they honor the pledges they have vowed or will America be left to care for herself?

Americans are resilient. Whether we receive assistance or not, we will rebuild. With any great cause, comes a great deal of politics, but restoration is occurring, slowly but emphatically.

Just as I witnessed the devastation and slow start on the part of our governmental officials, I am now witnessing the outpouring of blessings on the part of the American people.

While we may differ as to why the tragedy happened, many will agree that trouble and difficult times unite people. Tragedy, great or small, unite people. We came together during 9/11. We will come together again. We must do as Jesus declared, "For as much as you do it for the least of these, you’ve done it unto me. It’s New Orleans, Mississippi, and the Alabama coastline this time. Heaven only knows who’s next. We must reach out to help any and every way we can, without murmuring or complaining. As we reach out our hand to help our fellow man, God will supply what it is that we need.

As I watch the television, on it, is the face of America: weeping and wailing. In the coming years, I desire to see her smile again, filled with hopes and a future.

In closing, I echo the sentiments of Dr. King. Concerning racial inequality, social unrest, and disharmony among brothers and sisters alike, it is also my dream that "Jews, Gentiles, Protestants, Catholics, blacks, whites, etc. will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.

Katrina has given us the perfect opportunity for this to occur. Don’t let it be lost on us. This may be our last time. As I write, this is the last time for many individuals. Let us pray that the lost will find their way home and that families will be reunited.

Katrina wiped out the lives of many in just a few hours. It will take us years and billions to rebuild. Let us begin now. The night is far spent. I desire to see and do many things for this cause, but most of all I desire peace for everyone. Only a loving God can administer that!! May God bless America, "from sea to shining sea."

Travestine J. Wright