Wipe Away Every Tear: A Kerrville Flood Reflection
- Trace Pirtle
- Jul 6
- 6 min read
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:4
God Will Wipe Away Every Tear
This is a promise we have from Jesus, as recorded through the Apostle John. God assures us that suffering will be no more in the new heaven and new earth. But for now, for us still living on this earth, suffering is inextricably tied to the human condition.
In my last post on July 4th, I wrote a Letter to God: When the Flood Waters Rise in Kerrville, Texas. At that time, there were six reported fatalities, and only God knew how many were still missing. But the tears began to flow from loved ones…from friends and neighbors…who were coming to grips with a reality that couldn't be happening, but was. Irreplaceable people were no longer with them, with us. Soon the tears were flowing from surrounding communities, states, and "foreign" countries. Somehow, there's nothing foreign, no "them" and "US" when catastrophes strike small communities, whether in the Texas Hill Country or to the farthest reaches of the globe.
Today, I went to see if the "Jesus Bench" had somehow survived His flood. As the helicopters continued their search and rescue runs, I walked in deep prayer and reflection, gazing out at our Louise Hays Park. Nature and metal were entwined…twisted, and distorted in ways that neither nature nor man intended. I don't know if trees cry, but if they can, I feel their pain.
And Jesus Bench, if it was somewhere, it certainly not where I left it three days ago. In its spot, a massive debris field of metal railing and water-logged tree limbs and branches. I briefly thought about being "cut off from the vine."
Although my mind is screaming, "How could God unleash His wrath on this beautiful park…beautiful people (young and old)?" The death toll has risen to nearly 70, and the search for an unknown number of missing continues.
But there is a light that shines in the darkness…
The Journey Through Devastation
It's interesting when I think about being connected to the "True Vine" in John 15:1-5. The question arises when catastrophes occur, and we see trees and their branches stripped from their roots: how do we truly know if we are connected or not?
Well, I don't think it's contingent upon whether or not we have emotions (such as fear, sorrow, or rage) or questions (whether profound or simple) about God; it's about what we do with them, despite our thoughts and feelings.
His word tells us that "He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit." God is sovereign. He determines when one lives and when another dies. However, for those of us still living, we need to bear fruit and live as ambassadors of Christ. In this way, we can help those who suffer most during times of tragedy.
I recall reading many years ago about Kirlian photography, which suggested that plants could not only express "pain" but also that pain in one plant was experienced by another.
But if plants experience suffering in some form, and other plants are empathetic to that suffering, it's reasonable that all of God's creation could "feel" each other's pain. Perhaps if we opened our senses a bit more, we could express God's love much more for people and nature.
This internal scream is a question many pilgrims still grapple with. However, I believe it is part of our hard training lessons, in which we need to be brought down low - humbled in God's presence.
God reminded me on that "walk in the park" this morning that He is in command. That the waters do not always part…that sometimes they mow down nearly everything in their path. Giant Cypress trees bow to the water like palm trees in a typhoon as if God is saying, "take a knee!" And we, as mere mortals…whether Believers or nonbelievers…better heed the same call!
We are no match for the power of God. Stay connected to the branch if you are, but get connected… quickly…if you aren't. Humble is the best way to describe my feelings while looking at what God can do.
God's Wink in the Debris Field
As I stood, jaw agape, looking at the stripped trees and contorted metal, I noticed a deer eating her lunch of leaves from a fallen tree. I smiled at the deer and felt a sense of peace.
As with the last major flood we had in 2018, God will resurrect His park. New trees will spring forth among those that withstood a 26-foot wall of water. The deer are still here, eating their lunch and showing their respect.
As we look at all the destruction and devastation, let's also see the other aspect of the figure-ground image…there is beauty in the ugly…new in the old…and strength in our weakness. Let's be like the standing Cypress trees, rooted in God's Word and connected to His True Vine.
I think seeing that deer having lunch was God's wink to me. It was also His drying my own tears as a flood of empathy for my community swept through me. His love and compassion really is beyond comprehension.
Standing Like Cypress Trees
They are saying this is a 100-year flood, that it is more devastating than the one in the 1980s. If so, then it's possible that the giant standing Cypress trees were around for the last "big flood." And although they have survived numerous floods since then, they weren't the mature giants they are now. How did they survive? Again, we go back to a strong root system. Our root system is God's Word and the Holy Spirit teaching us all things and everything God ever said. "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:26). Every day, we need to be strengthening our own roots for the day the floods come. Some will be great and some small, but for me, that is the only way I can find shelter when the world is falling apart.
And, if you are looking through the debris field of life for your "Jesus Bench," remember that Jesus isn't confined to a metal bench in a park, He is right there beside you smiling as He points out His deer having lunch. He is there when He cracks a private joke between you and Him when the sky is dark and the air thick with humidity and sorrow. Make no mistake, He is here. In good times and times when we have no choice but lean into Him.
And speaking of bearing good fruit, isn't there always something we can do to be part of God's wink and smile that lets others know they are not alone? We are seeing it in myriad ways on social media, from near and far - people praying, expressing empathy, offering to help, and donating money and time. If these aren't ways God uses to dry tears, I don't know what they are. Oh, and as we think of the figure-ground, let's also thank God for lowering first responders out of helicopters to save people who were stranded in trees or who risked their own lives in small boats to rescue those stranded on high ground. Like the standing Cypress trees, God spared the lives of 525 irreplaceable souls. No doubt that number will continue to rise. And for those who were spared and those who offer support, let's all commit to being "doers of the Word." "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22). If we do, I believe we will rise to any challenge life offers us.
God will wipe away every tear. Until that day comes, let's be His hands drying the tears of others, rooted deep like the standing cypress trees, bearing fruit even in the flood, and always watching for His winks of love in the debris fields of life.
--- *Trace Pirtle is a retired university professor, pilgrim blogger, and founder of Faith in Action Ministry, Texas Hill Country. He writes for Christians who refuse to settle for Sunday morning faith while prayer-walking the narrow path in Kerrville, Texas. Welcome home, pilgrim.
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