Christchurch Earthquake Relief Journal (Day 18)

Amidst the many stories of tragedy emerge inspirational stories of triumph from people who refuse to allow their very real loss and pain to define their future. I was deeply touched by the story of a young family I met during a home visit yesterday. They lost their own home and business during the September earthquake. Their children were traumatised during the first quake, with their 4 year old son too petrified to stay inside or sleep alone. They became very angry with the world and withdrew behind closed doors of their new rented house, refusing to engage with anybody. The February quake has now made their current house unlivable and their 8 year old daughter has withdrawn into herself and is losing control of her bodily functions. Anger subsided into depression; the husband was on the verge of a breakdown while the wife was also falling to pieces.

Within the space of a week, after receiving timely help from The Salvation Army and connecting with counselling services, the family I met yesterday were positive, objective and planning for a better future. I'll never forget the wife's comment to me in a determined voice, "I'm tired of living as a victim." The husband returned home while we were visiting from a promising job interview, and they were getting ready to go and find a new home. They had determined that it was time for them to invest into other people's lives and contribute to the recovery of their city (and I'm tipping of themselves also). After secluding themselves from the neighbourhood, they now call in on their elderly neighbour regularly and interact with street gatherings. While acknowledging their journey of pain, they have an extraordinary outlook for their future!

There are many things that happen to us in life we cannot control. However, the way we respond to our circumstances is a choice. This couple has faced circumstances completely outside of their control, yet they choose to live life!

I am reminded of the words of the prophet Habakkuk who faced his own trials:

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)