Many of you are aware, but on May 1-2, Nashville received anywhere from 10-15" of rain. To put it mildly, that's a lot. I don't want to give you facts about the devastation the flooding has caused. For that info, I suggest visiting The Tennessean's site: http://is.gd/bU9sT. The purpose of this post is to just give some reflections on the happenings of the past few days.

I was skeptical at first of the things friends were texting us as Lynsey and I were preparing to return to Nashville from Atlanta with some friends. "You guys should be really careful. Nashville is flooded." Or "The interstate is closed. I hope you aren't planning on coming back today." I stay pretty even keeled, so I just assumed there would be a few roads closed and we would be fine. We had to take a detour but I still passed it off as not that big of a deal.

The seriousness of the situation finally hit home with me when I was on my way to work yesterday morning. It was my normal route. The cars in front of me on Old Hickory Boulevard were stopping and turning around in front of a new strip (for you natives, OHB in front of BW3s, DD, and the new Burger King). I couldn't help but drop my jaw when I saw the 40-50 foot-wide pond in the middle of the road, with a white car half submerged in the brown, murky mess. I called Lyns to tell her the alternate route to go.

My work and church were both directly impacted. Randall House has a very small creek running about 30-40 yards behind it. The creek became much larger during the flood, which caused the water to come through the walls in our downstairs printing area before it rose high enough to come in over the dock, which is four feet off the ground. Water isn't good for paper or electronic equipment. Some employees, including our printing manager and CEO (among others) came on Saturday afternoon/night to elevate some of the materials to keep them from the water. Cofer's Chapel, where Lynsey and I are members, also has a creek running behind it. The creek was flooded, and the water tore up our parking lot and flooded the entire first level of our church. Cleanup is in the works for Cofer's, with the help of many members and other volunteers from the neighborhood.

I didn't know what to say or think during this whole thing. I was tired from our trip home from Atlanta, and when we heard of the damage, I just felt numb. What do you say to your friends who have anywhere from 4ft to their entire house being under water?

The question as to why God would do this hasn't come into my mind yet. But then again, our home is fine. I was reminded of the verse that says "By His mercies we are not consumed." My actions and thoughts are so offensive to our holy God, yet He has patience with all, not wanting anyone to perish, offering His free gift of eternal salvation to all who would answer His call.

It frustrates me to read and hear people complain about having to take a detour or sit in traffic for longer than normal or whatever. People are losing their homes here, and some have lost their lives, and some of us are complaining about having to take a detour. Please, friends, have a change in perspective.

The amount of people who have died in comparison to the amount who have been impacted is great, which is a good thing. Many, many have lost a great deal, if not all, of their possessions, but few have lost their lives (although I do not rejoice in anyone's death).

God is using this situation to help me learn how to weep with other people. It's hard for me to do if I'm honest. I'm an introvert who uses energy around people. But to be a believer, I need to mourn with those who mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice.

Receding waters is what I'm looking forward to so we can get busy getting our friends out of this mess and moved on. Especially our friends on Miami Avenue.

Jacob