The earth shook, a storm churns and God is still on the throne

For me, a fairly ordinary Tuesday filled with working responsibilities and a hoped for evening of cutting grass.  A pretty strong late afternoon thunderstorm put an end to any grass cutting possibilities for this day.  What a great opportunity this stormy August eve to read, maybe pray and reflect, and relax, a commodity that easily escapes me.  How ironic, in helping with two diaconate retreats over the past month we talked about resting in the Lord.  Advice to self: practice what you preach!

While ordinary for me; this was no ordinary Tuesday in late August.  The earth shook across southeast, mid atlantic and even northeast United States.  A pretty powerful earthquake from central Virginia sent the ground shaking across a dozen states.  If this would have been a west coast event, at 5.8 on the Richter, it probably would be a very little deal.  But the big cities of D.C., Richmond, Philly, NYC, and all the rest, are laid out differently than L.A. or S.F. so it rolled more, and probably further.  To say the least, it probably had a good percentage of Americans shook up; pun intended.  All the while this is occuring, Hurricane Irene churns and may have it's bullseye on some of the same area as was impacted by the earthquake.  We all can pray that this bad hurricane curve away and miss all of America.  Unfortunately, she has already battered many island nations in the Caribbean.  Let's not forget to pray for those good folks who endure plenty of big weather events.

Just a few days back I was praying that Irene not impact us here in the Gulf.  Over time, it has indeed moved east.  I always pray that in asking God to spare me, my family or my area that no others will be adveresly impacted.  And that continues to be my prayer tonight!

In the ordinary and not so ordinary, the calm balmy days and the storms, the eventful and uneventful, all days; God remains on His throne and Jesus is at His right hand.  Seeking understanding and making sense of this life can only be accomplished when we acknowledge God as our Creator and Jesus our Savior.

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28.

And my favorite Scripture: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8.

May we always be keenly aware of God's love for us, and that His hand is always upon us.