The Aftermath

Posted on by Susan Panzica
Tiffs Restaurant – where we had Easter dinner this year
Hess Station on Rt 23 where I regularly get gas

A&P, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Moe’s – great little shopping plaza





For days, the media hype streamed its warnings. But in less than 24 hours, Hurricane Irene blew in and blew out, leaving floods, power outages, downed trees, and overall destruction in her wake. 


It is a week later. The skies are sunny and much of the water has receded, but the major clean-up is just beginning. Mud covers the parking lots. Mold grows in basements. Houses and their contents are ruined. 


Though the powerful storm was short-lived, its aftermath will continue for years. 


And what about the aftermath of our actions? 
Sometimes, one mis-spoken word alters relationships. 
An indiscretion creates havoc.
A foolish prank triggers repercussions. 
A quick decision brings consequences.
The choices we make today will reap an aftermath tomorrow.


There is a natural law that Paul sums up in Galatians 6:7-10 –
“Don’t be misled – you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.”


Of course the opposite is also true:
“But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” 


Hillsong United named their latest album Aftermath because “instead of living in the aftermath of our mistakes and sin, we can live in the aftermath of what Jesus has done for us.” 


After natural or man-made disasters, there are the expected devastating consequences. 


After the cross, there was and is the unexpected consequence – what appeared to be total destruction and loss one tragic Friday 2000 years ago was complete victory the following Sunday. A victory that is ours today.



“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone – especially to those in the family of faith.” 

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8 thoughts on “The Aftermath”

  1. Thankful you and yours are safe, Susan, and that you can give such a positive post in the midst of suffering, which is only possible because you're one of The Kings Kids!

    Blessings ~ Danie

    Reply

  2. Thank you for sharing Susan. Beth Israel got over 4 feet of water in the entire building. Four yeas of renovations and eing 95% finished, everything is sitting in ruins. The waters contained some sort of oily mirky water that stinks. The building is now uninhaitalble. Every room, every wall needs to be cut to the5 foot level and be resheetrocked. We just put down all the carpeting and all new chairs in the sanctuary. And now the building is uninhabitable and has a horrid stench in there. Please pray for our congregation and all of our neighbors who have suffered catastrophic losses. Its at times like this that we need to be a light to those neighbors and show them Gods love in helping them somehow. We're trying to pul together plans to feed them or help them somehow.

    Thanks for your prayers and I'll see yoou soon for another adjustment.

    Blessings,

    Sandi

    Reply

  3. Another wonderful post Susan … and I REALLY was grateful for the pictures….

    I'm down in that area all the time and can't BELIEVE those pictures!!! My husband drives that way every day to work, and even though we knew it was bad (and due to our own power outage, missed much of the media coverage at the time) … a "picture is worth a thousand words"…, and wow, how incredible to see the extent of that flooding…

    Praying for so many devastated lives and businesses…. May Jesus continue to be "in the midst of the storm", and yes, the "aftermath" as well…

    Reply

  5. Hi Susan –

    I'm sorry to see so much destruction in your community, but I'm happy you're okay.

    A cousin lived in Pompton Lakes, NJ for years. One time, they had to be rescued by boat.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

    Reply

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