Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

For the mountains may depart and the hills be moved, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

Summer before last, my husband and I vacationed in Eastern Tennessee amid the Smoky Mountains. We stayed in a cozy AirBnB with a breathtaking view and an admonitory sign nailed on a nearby tree that read, “Caution Bears.” Mountainsides dovetailed against one another as misty clouds clung to the tree canopy like angel hair dripping from Christmas decorations. 

As it was, Bruce and I arrived at our AirBnB in late September. So did Hurricane Helene. It rained. And rained. And rained. After a few days it became apparent that something more sinister was happening. Raging waters covering roadways made travel nearly impossible and we had serious concerns about whether or not we would be able to leave. Our AirBnB hosts were very understanding and accommodating. Fortunately, we were able to leave by taking a rather circuitous route on our way to South Carolina. 

As news reports rolled in, the amount of devastation suffered by the people of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee was monumental. Rivers and creeks exploded from their banks, bridges failed, roads washed away, and dams were opened to release unprecedented volumes of unyielding water. Homes were destroyed and lives lost. 

Immediately, rescue workers, first aid workers, and other first responders leapt into action. Neighbors sustained one another with offers of shelter, clothing, food, and water. It was surely a sign of the presence of God’s compassionate hands in service to one another.

The author of Isaiah writes, “For the mountains may depart and the hills be moved, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” 

Even as Helene assaulted the mountains around us, the love of God could never have been destroyed—not by rain, wind, or flood. God always brings peace amid the storms of life. Isaiah reminds us that God gave this promise to Noah after the flood. And so, in this Advent season we await the one who comes to us bringing the hope and promise of God’s steadfast peace, love, and compassion even when hurricanes roar. 

And so this past October was the one-year anniversary of Helene. In response to the presence of God’s abiding love, the Mission Possible Team from Trinity Lutheran Church in Wernersville, PA—working through Lutheran Disaster Response—sent a group of folks from multiple congregations to North Carolina to assist with rebuilding efforts. 

Gracious God, when mountains fall, and unceasing storms and flood roil around us, your steadfast love never abandons us. Bring us the peace you promised Noah that we might know your great compassion for us. Amen.

Rev. Julie Osterhout is the pastor of  Trinity Lutheran Church in Wernersville, PA.