Hope Forward

By Rev. Sheri Lodel, pastor at Our Saviour’s, Dannebrog and Calvary, Grand Island of Nebraska
“Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”  --Romans 5:1-6



   Through the bomb cyclone of March of 2019 and the flooding of our little town of Dannebrog, it was awe that set upon our hearts.  Awe at how our town pulled together The mantra was “what do you need?”

    Soon the mantra was one that Our Saviour’s was hearing back loudly.  It became evident that Our Saviour’s was the only church building condemned through this year’s flooding events.  Phone calls came in from around the Midwest to ask what was needed.  It was hard to admit, but Our Saviour’s was in need because a basement wall had collapsed and the basement filled up with nasty water as high as six feet six inches.   Immediately the prayers, the support from our Nebraska Synod and brothers and sisters in Christ was felt. We knew we were not alone or forgotten by God. 

      We all do need to grieve, but grief is lifted from the depths of darkness by real hope and grateful hearts. People acknowledge they have lost much but it isn’t out of a sense of despair.  In fact, it is out of thankfulness that the knowledge is shared. “My basement re-flooded, but I received immediate help!” proclaimed a member of Our Saviour’s.  Another resident of Dannebrog stated, “now I don’t have to worry about my kids cleaning out the basement for me.”  The wonderful people of this town don’t like to look back as much as hope forward. 

     As we continue to focus on our recovery of the building and helping our neighbors put in walls and flooring Romans 5:1-6 dwells in our life together. Our church building has come a long way with repairs.  We are at the final stage of plumbing, walls, flooring, cupboards, and ceiling of the basement.  The collapsed wall, back-flow valve, holes, and cracks have all been repaired.  As we offer refuge to people in high wind storms, we needed to have professionals do many of these repairs.  The costs are being worked out with peace in our hearts that God has and will provide for us.  Our gratitude comes from the realization that our church is not the 4 walls of Our Saviour’s, but so much larger in the church of the ELCA.  God has not ever abandoned us, but sustains us always in hope.



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