The Fruits of Hurricane Katrina

Whenever I think of Hurricane Katrina, I have an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I am truly so thankful for the experience.  I don’t reflect on the losses of what we had or the way things were.  Instead, I immediately recognize how much I gained interiorly.   I reflect on the profound experience of surrender.  That is what I first remember and that is what I still feel.

I especially remember those first few days, that turned into weeks, of not knowing.  Those days of completely letting go of what was happening at home, turning my focus to Christ especially with the help of Our Mother Mary, and cherishing the moments I was living right then, cherishing what I had before me. My faith and my family.

I remember that feeling as if I was floating in water, at times holding my breath, helpless and waiting, but somehow not afraid. I remember trusting that I could accept God’s will for whatever the future would now be. I remember how grateful I was for the opportunity to enjoy my family like we were on an extended and unexpected vacation.  And as we rebuilt, I remember feeling gratitude every day that, as an adult, I could live with my parents a little longer.

As I was preparing my thoughts for today’s column, I started to mentally list the “fruits” of my Katrina experience: surrender, patience, courage, repentance… Interestingly, just before I began to write, I was compelled to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary and gradually realized a parallel: as a result of Katrina, I learned obedience to God’s will, mortification, courage, patience and even sorrow for my sins; indeed, these are the fruits of the five Sorrowful Mysteries.      

Obedience to God’s will.  Seemingly at every turn, I found myself having to choose to submit to God’s control. I was practicing deep trust in God’s providence for my life.  I learned to practice appreciation but detachment.

Mortification.  Seeing the excess I had hurt my heart. I could give so much away.  Practicing self-denial and recentering my gaze on Christ rather than riches was a lesson I needed.  I am still working to practice this daily to keep myself rightly ordered.   

Courage to face each day not knowing, to accept loss, and to admit that I was not in control.  

Patience in suffering and in allowing God to work.

Sorrow for my sins.  Given this opportunity/necessity to assess my life, I was able to consider where I was using my energy and talents and realize what I really valued.   Being distanced from my “life,” I could better see my sins and repent.  Praise be to God for this merciful experience that opened my eyes.      

While I do feel compassion and sorrow for the pain so many people experienced, I see how important it was to learn that earthly things pass away. It is the things not of this world that are everlasting. That is where I want my heart to be.

Charla Misse, a native of New Orleans, supports various charitable organizations, sits on the finance committee for St. Dominic Church and is a Boy Scouts of America den leader and religious emblems coordinator. She loves to laugh with her family, bake for her loved ones, exercise outdoors, visit the adoration chapel and pick her son up from school.