Simply incredible. A catastrophe beyond the capabilities of any movie set. The power of nature unleashed. Thousands displaced. Lives turned upside down. Property damage galore (if you can even see your property underneath the floodwaters wreaked by Hurricane Harvey).
But what I really found incredible was the response. Regular folks joined rescue teams and first responders in doing anything and everything to save and help people in trouble. Communities around the nation took up the cause, sending 
goods and supplies to Houston. Chabad in Houston, though themselves affected by the storm, immediately set up a "boots on the ground" relief effort with hundreds of volunteers. Celebrities and regular people donated to the cause. The selflessness and outpouring of kindness. That's what was incredible.
Which got me thinking: Where were these heroes before? Where were all these do-gooders last week? Where did they appear from?
When our oven stopped working this morning (in the midst of getting ready for First Fridays), I got my answer. The gas is there in the pipes, it even seeps out when you turn the knobs. But it still won't start without a spark to ignite it; to turn unchannelled energy into focused passion.
The kindness of these responders is real. Their devotion and tireless efforts are from the heart. Hurricane Harvey was merely the (gigantic) spark that set it aflame. That let their true selves, their care for another human being, shine forth.
May we find ways of igniting our sparks, of unearthing our treasures of energy, love, and goodness, without the need for tragedies and devastation, but also, and perhaps with even greater enthusiasm, in times of peace and happiness.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, and we wish them all an easy path to recovery, rebuilding, and growth.
ב"ה