I had planned all along to try and blog every day as part of my personal Lenten journey...well life has happened and I am now in the third day of Lent and I am just now sitting down to blog. Well, I am going to look at it as a hiccup in a continually unfolding journey, not stress out, and just start writing.
It has been a little over two weeks since I have blogged...and what a two weeks it has been. So much has happened in my life and in the world, and maybe that's where I should start my blog on this third day of Lent. Today a massive earthquake hit Japan, and has triggered tsunamis all over Japan, the Pacific Rim, and the West Coast of the US. All morning I have watched images of the damage caused by both tsunami and earthquake; and have been reminded again and again how very fragile all of this is. So much damage has already been done, and there is more to come. As I sat and watched I was overwhelmed with sadness - obviously for those in the path of the destruction - but also for the rest of us who sit here and wonder and worry about family and friends, and who feel impotent to help.
Then, as so often happens, I had a "God-moment"...actually two.
The first God-moment came as I watched my facebook news feed swell with prayers, from friends around the world, for those impacted by this disaster. In a heartbeat I was reminded that while we may feel helpless, we are not alone. We are all surrounded by family and friends who share our worries, our sorrows, and our joys. I am also reminded that each of us in our own way is a person of faith, and that we are united in that faith. While I am not be able to stop the damage, I can join with my community of faith and pray and know that we are helping and not helpless.
The second God-moment came when I got to the office. Two months ago I ordered devotionals for our congregation to use during Lent. Now I skimmed this devotional pretty good before I ordered it, but did I read it word for word? No. So imagine my surprise (I really don't understand why I continue to be surprised by God, but I am) when I sat down to read the devo for the 3rd day in Lent and it was about...are you ready...EARTHQUAKES! (cue Twilight Zone music) Yep, that's right, the devo starts off talking about the devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile in 2010, but then it transitions into King David experiencing a personal earthquake, and feeling like his very foundation had been rocked. After I got over the whole Twilight Zone moment I realized that this is just another way that I am not alone. When the earthquakes happen in my life...and heaven knows there have been more than a few the last couple of weeks, heck the last couple of years...I have not been alone. I have been held in the hand of a loving and gracious Creator.
I continue to pray and weep for everyone impacted by this natural disaster, but I take comfort in knowing that in whatever upheavals we are caught - the upheaval of a natural disaster, or those that rock our personal foundation - we are surrounded by friends and family and a God that love beyond measure. Thanks be to God!
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