Where was God when the Floods of 2008 Came?

It never fails, every disaster brings this question and the flood of 2008 is no different. Where was God? It may be hard to see where God was for those that have lost everything. But He was here. Right in the thick of it as always.

For thousands of us, God was hanging on to the Coralville Reservoir. If it would have given way to the pressures of the waters, there would have been hundreds of deaths and so much destruction that it could never be repaired. Yes, God was hanging on to Coralville Reservoir.

A young man got caught in the river's rage while trying to recover more of his folks belongings. He died in those merciless waters. At the rate the river was moving, it boggles the mind that his body could be recovered. Yet instead of being swept away, he was found relatively close by. God was hanging onto him for his family's sake.

Perfect strangers were driving up to people's houses and would just start loading belongings. No questions asked, just pitching in. Getting people and parts of their life to safety. God was the matchmaker, giving people that could help to people who needed it.

A middle aged man and an 80 year old neighbor braved rapidly moving flood waters to try and save calves. The cows and their calves were stranded and the cows, although they could swim, would not leave their calves behind. These two brave souls put their faith in God and rounded up the calves. They were put in the boat and the cows swam to safety following their young.

The National Guard came to help build levees and to protect people's homes that were flooded. They were at barricaded roadsides spending long nights on watch. Being eaten by mosquitoes and gnats, but never complaining. They met locals with smiles and with understanding. Many of them had families and friends farther down the river yet to face the flooding waters. God not only blessed us with these men and women, but also has given them strength to help strangers when their hearts and minds must surely have been on their own homes and families.