Recently, a self-described “heathen” asked me, a self-described “God-fearing woman” (her words—not mine) what hope could I offer her in response to the overwhelming anguish and despair she felt in the midst of all the racial, political, and natural disasters that have recently descended upon Americans as to why God was allowing all this devastation.
Cartoon used by permission: David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star
Did I agree with the loud-mouthed, ignorant Christians who were proclaiming the hurricanes to be the wrath of God against a nation that allowed homosexuality and abortions to exist?
Cartoon used by permission: Larry Wright, CagleCartoons.com
She said: “If all the mayhem is God’s ‘wrath,’ as your Christian peeps would try and lead me to believe, then why is he punishing the innocents by drowning or displacing them while patently evil characters of our world seem to run amok freely and God seemingly looks the other way?”
Cartoon used by permission: Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune
I told her that she was asking the wrong questions.
Cartoon used by permission: Rick McKee, The Augusta Chronicle
There is only one question that brings any comfort and perspective in the midst of a storm—man-made or nature-born: “Where is God in all this pain and devastation?” I am not in the path of a hurricane today and agents of racial hatred are not burning crosses on my lawn at this moment, but in my lifetime of almost seventy years as an African-American, I have been almost consumed by so many relentless personal storms that, in the heart of them, my anger against God was palpable and almost Job-like.
Cartoon used by permission: John Darkow, PoliticalCartoons.com
But as I told my heathen friend, God always showed up for me in the dark through the love, grace, heroism, comfort, helping hands, and mercy of human beings—and sometimes angels. Many times I had no idea that they represented the presence of God to me when it was happening. It was only in looking back all through my copious personal storms that I saw God in my darkest hours, and finding God in the dark has always obliterated the so-called prophets of doom, as well as strengthened my faith and trust in a higher power. I agree with the wonderful Mr. Rogers when he asked his mother how to deal with the awfulness of tragedy, and she said: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
…and I would add, look for God in the midst of the helpers…I’ve always found him to be there, not only in my life but in the storms we are facing today as a nation.
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ADDITIONAL READING ON WHO TO BLAME FOR ALL OUR PAIN
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how the hell did i end up here? 