The River of Life and Loss
Years ago, George and I went on motorcycle trips with friends to see the bluebonnets and other spring flowers blooming in the Texas Hill Country. The tall trees and lush vegetation were picture-perfect. Beautiful rivers flowed past vast fields of wildflowers. The Texas Hill Country is stunning, especially in the spring.
When I was a child, my parents took us on vacations to the Texas Hill Country near New Braunfels with several of our friends' families. We stayed in cabins and often had the camp to ourselves. I remember the year I was finally old enough to go with the “big kids” and our dads to tube the Comal and Guadalupe Rivers. While we rode down the river, the moms spent the whole day by the pool, relaxing and not worrying about the children. The younger kids hooked our feet in our fathers' tubes, and their strong arms held onto us as we splashed and bounced down the rapids.
Years later, George and I became youth pastors and took two buses full of excited youth to New Braunfels for the day to ride the river rapids. We wanted to share with them the excitement we had experienced as young people. What wonderful memories!
The Guadalupe River has provided many pleasures for families over the years, but unfortunately, it is also considered one of the most dangerous areas for flash flooding, with multiple rivers flowing into it.
This past July 4th, while most were sleeping, the river rose 26 feet in less than an hour as the South and North forks converged in Kerr County, causing chaos in the darkness and resulting in the loss of many children and adults. Numerous families camping along the river disappeared under the rapidly rising waters. Heroes lost their lives trying to save them. The nation came together in mourning as the news revealed the devastation. The tragic stories unfolded with heartbreaking details.
While living in Corpus Christi, Texas, George and I became friends with a beautiful family who had a long legacy in Corpus. She was very helpful to me when I was a new mom. When we moved away from Corpus, we stayed in touch through Christmas cards. Two Christmases went by, and I did not hear from her. I later discovered that her precious family, less one daughter, were all killed as their river home splintered apart while the raging Blanco River overtook them. The Blanco River flows into the Guadalupe.
Many people are questioning why these tragedies happen when we have a loving God? Why didn’t He stop them? He could have at any moment. Why didn't He save them when He could have? The floods could have happened during the daytime, and people could have been given fair warning. There are so many questions that have no answers. God is full of mysteries, and we cannot understand why these things happen. The human mind cannot imagine what God has in store for those who love him. As Paul writes:
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived'— the things God has prepared for those who love him—"
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV
Further down in the same chapter, he writes: “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV). As believers, we cannot judge Him for allowing the floods to happen. We can’t get stuck on blaming God. It does no good to allow our faith in Him to waver.
Our focus should be on knowing that all the lamenting prayers that have been prayed have been heard by Him, and Jesus weeps with us and will count every tear. He was with each person who lost their life. I am sure when the cleanup began, they discovered girls' Bibles filled with notes and highlights. Mourning the loss of these lives, we can be assured:
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18 NIV
This scripture highlights God’s tenderness to the hurting.
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” —Psalm 147:3 NIV
Today, we can stand on this promise that reaches deep into our hurt and grief.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” —Matthew 5:4 NIV
I am praying that the families of the lost ones find comfort and peace in the arms of Jesus.
Even when the news shifts to other topics, let's keep them in our prayers. Their lives have been permanently changed, and the devastation won't be solved overnight. We can pray for them or support the many organizations dedicated to helping them grieve, recover, and rebuild.
Let’s remember to count our blessings and hug our loved ones. Tell your family and friends you care and what they mean to you. We never know when the Lord will call them home.
Let’s pray.
Lord, we declare that You are a magnificent and loving God. You know when we rise and when we sleep. You understand our thoughts from afar. You are omniscient—possessing complete and perfect knowledge of everything; omnipresent—everywhere at the same time; and omnipotent—all-powerful, with unlimited power or authority. Forgive me when I question You, but as You know, I am flesh and trying to understand. Extend Your grace to me and others when we question You. Help us to lean into Your goodness and trust that You are sovereign, and that You have an eternal destiny in mind for us all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
