Disaster strikes us all in different ways, often without warning. As a nation we have been hit hard with the Pike mine tragedy and the Christchurch earthquake. The last thing we needed was for the Rena to be stranded on Astrolabe Reef. Thankfully there was no loss of life, but there is the loss of the ship, its cargo and with it the damage to the pristine Papamoa coastline and so much wild life.
Life for all of us is a rollercoaster ride. Just when we think things have returned to normal we are hit again. Saturday a week ago I was in Christchurch. I saw again the devastation and then as we got back to the house the city was shaken again and again. How disconcerting. What impressed me was to see, alongside the uncertainty, the wonderful spirit of caring and purpose. Many I spoke to saw the need to stay in Christchurch to help others.
From there it was to Timaru. In the Timaru Baptist Church that morning there were prayers and support for the Hubbard family in their time of sadness and testing. How significant when Christians care for each other like that. In the afternoon it was special to join with the hundreds in the Timaru gardens under a bright sun to pay tribute to the life of Allan Hubbard. Under the leadership of the Mayor of Timaru, Janie Annear, different aspects of Mr Hubbard’s life and service were presented. For me the highlights of the afternoon were the presentations by the Craighead Chorale, (a girl’s school where Mr. Hubbard commenced work as an accountant), the Lord’s Prayer sung by David McAtamney and the tribute paid by Lesley Limbe, Mr. Hubbard’s eldest daughter. Our love and sympathy go out to Mrs Hubbard and the family.
Difficult times bring out either the worst or the best in us. As a nation we can be proud of endless stories of those who have been on hand to help, many sacrificially, in time of need, and a government offering to do all it can. Some have even offered assistance and come from overseas.
Whilst we long for life to flow seamlessly along, with some expecting this to be normal for a Christian, the world God created ebbs and flows in a way that affects us all. It is not so much the situations we face that are the measure of a person, but how we respond and react to them. How comforting to know that in every situation God is there for us. Nothing takes him by surprise; he is ready for it. Alongside that we have the support of family and friends, who too are God’s gift to us.
