Thoughts about Haiti

I have to admit, I was a day late on learning the news about Haiti. I was off the grid. I was not watching TV or surfing the web. Even Twitter failed to update me.

Once I heard, I wanted to learn the specifics. I was moved by what I had learned.

In times like these, rare and dark as they may be, I feel proud to be an American.

At first, I couldn’t help feeling powerless to help. The disaster had isolated Haiti from the world and those who would want to help. I donated money, but really, how much help did I feel like I was giving? Not much. By the time my donation is even processed, the people that need to be saved, the ones trapped and dying, will be lost. Helpful as a donation may be in time, I wish I could be there, really helping.

Oddly, amidst the CNN coverage I was glued to, I found myself thinking about my life and my mundane issues. How trivial did they all seem in the face of the tragedy the people of Haiti were dealing with? I spend my days working to cover the next mortgage payment, putting gas in the car, pay the phone bill, and try to enjoy my time left over. What if it was all taken from me in an instant? How would I handle the new reality I found myself in? ...?

I thought about whether I would be the person pushing and fighting for scrapes, or, would I be a chaplain of hope, helping anyone I could first and myself second?

I have had the blessing of never been put in a situation to find out. However, in a way, I envy those who have had their true self tested. Would I pass the test? Would the person I only hope I could be in a tragedy like this prevail?