The Ground Beneath Us

Dear Lord; Happy Tuesday Father!

Well Father, I had a completely different post planned for today but once again, You’ve redirected me along a different path.

At around 1:51pm EST, an earthquake measuring 5.8 in magnitude occurred in Mineral, Virginia, sending shocks outward reaching as far as New York; and shaking the ground under us here in Delaware as well.  This was the first earthquake I’ve had any experience with Father, and it was to say the least unnerving.  Once the initial surprise wore off however, my concerns immediately shifted to those closer to the event itself.  If this earthquake could rock my shop all the way up in Delaware, what must those nearer to it’s source be dealing with?  And while I realize that compared to places like California and Japan who regularly deal with much larger quakes, for an area not used to seismic events such as this, there can certainly be damage, fear and suffering as a result.

Therefore Lord, today I’d like to direct my thoughts and prayers to those impacted by this earthquake.

The following is a small piece of a prayer written by Diana Macalintal following the Haiti Earthquake in January, 2010.  While I realize the scopes of the two quakes put them in completely different categories, I found it a wonderfully poignant and beautiful prayer and wanted to share it nonetheless.  I pray it brings comfort to anyone dealing with fallout from today’s event.

Lord, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined,
we plead for your mercy.

As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.

Do not forget us now.

For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground,
your love shall never leave us,
and your promise of peace will never be shaken.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
now and forever.

Amen.

~Phather Phil