The “Good Shepherd” Remains Merciful
A recent getaway to Yellowstone Park coincided with the devastation of Hurricane Helene, leading me to consider the goodness and mercy of God. I hope you’ll read more.
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.”
Ephesians 3:17b-18 (NIV)
On a beautiful late-September day, my husband and I visited Yellowstone National Park with friends who live less than one hundred miles away. We were four representatives of the four million plus tourists from all over the world who yearly visit the magnificent site.
The day was picture perfect! My amateur photographer husband commented that even the clouds cooperated with his camera. While photographing the Grand Prismatic Springs, clouds were wispy. A few short hours later, nary a cloud floated in the robins-egg blue sky while we watched the impressive Old Faithful geyser’s milky white plume erupt in brilliant contrast. (I hope you enjoy these photos.)
Yellowstone Park sits upon four calderas which were created many thousands of years ago by cataclysmic volcanic eruptions.
Since returning home, I’ve thought often about the irony of our day in Yellowstone. We had such a pleasant time and reveled in the beauty created out of a long-past devastating natural disaster. At the same time, some 2000 miles away, a current natural disaster, named Helene, wreaked havoc upon the southeastern United States, devastating regions, homes, families, and individual lives. The devastation continues even today.
Ron and I experienced good gifts such as joy, grace, and mercy during our Yellowstone getaway. In contrast, for those dealing with the aftermath of hurricanes and tornadoes, there is crying, grief, and bewilderment. We pray for the victims and are grateful for the multitudes of volunteers who are helping. In addition to praying, we withdrew money from our vacation account to donate to a reputable relief organization we know is on the ground offering aid. I am sure many of you have done the same.
Yes, we do what we can to help in some small way, and I believe that is good. Yet the question persists: Why, God, why must terrible, awful things like this happen? Easy answers aren’t available, but I’d like to share an encouraging quote written by a victim of Hurricane Helene:
“The odd reality for us who are sheep of the Good Shepherd is that great joy and dark valleys coexist. Things will not turn out just the way we want them to, but somehow his goodness and mercy still follow us, all the days of our lives.”
Grace Pouch, Renovaré Weekly · October 4, 2024.
May you be blessed today with God’s goodness and mercy,
