By April Yamasaki

Before last week, I had never heard of an “atmospheric river.” It’s a column of water vapour that moves through the atmosphere, like a river in the sky. An atmospheric river can bring much needed water to an area, but it can also grow so large that it becomes dangerous, resulting in torrential rainfall and flooding.

Last week an atmospheric river released its torrent in my province and in my city, and threw us into a state of emergency. There have been massive floods and mudslides, sections of highways and bridges have been destroyed, water systems damaged, whole towns have had to be evacuated, farms have been covered and thousands of farm animals have died, the bodies of four people have been recovered from the mudslides and at least one person is still missing.

In my city, most of the flooding is on the other side of town from us. There was one road awash in water that had to be closed between our home and the cancer agency, which meant a detour for my husband’s chemo treatment, but that road was open again in another couple of days. A minor inconvenience for us in the midst of the devastation. My heart breaks for those who have lost loved ones, lost homes, lost their livelihood.

Yet even now, there is much to be thankful for. We’ve had a few days without rain so the flood waters are receding. The breach in the dike is being repaired thanks to many many local volunteers and military personnel who have flown in to help. Our city, provincial, and federal leaders are working hard at rescue and recovery efforts.

People are checking up on one another and helping where they can. Local pilots of small aircraft have helped to fly people from where they were stranded so they could get home. Dairy farmers have helped other farmers move their animals to higher ground and are housing some of their neighbors’ farm animals in their own barns. People are opening their homes, donating money and food. People are praying and actively showing their care and compassion.

In Psalm 107, the people also faced devastating circumstances:

• Some wandered in the wilderness, “hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them” (verse 5)
• Some were imprisoned “in misery and in irons” (verse 10)
• Some suffered from their own foolish choices and “endured affliction” (verse 17)
• Some were working at sea and encountered stormy weather; “their courage melted away in their calamity” (verse 26).

In each case, the people “cried to the Lord in their trouble” (verses 6, 13, 19, 28). In each case, God saved them from their distress (verses 6, 13, 19, 28). And in each case, the people were encouraged:

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
          for his wonderful works to humankind. (verse 8)

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wonderful works to humankind. (verse 15)

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
          for his wonderful works to humankind. (verse 21)

Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
          for his wonderful works to humankind. (verse 31)

In the midst of disaster, as God is still at work, I hold on to this timeless truth: God’s steadfast love endures forever.

April Yamasaki is a writer and pastor, currently serving as resident author with a liturgical worship community. Her books include Four Gifts: Seeking Self-Care for Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength and Sacred Pauses: Spiritual Practices for Personal Renewal. For more information and a free copy of her ebook, How to Pray When Prayer Seems Impossible, visit AprilYamasaki.com.