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Fuel for the Weekend: When the Earth Groaned

March 18, 2011 By Sandra Heska King

When the earth groaned.

Part of Japan sank two feet deeper into the ocean.

And moved thirteen feet closer to the United States.

Its land widened.

The planet’s mass shifted and changed its axis.

Lives shattered.

When the earth groaned.

It triggered heaves in people across the world.

Widening our hearts.

Drawing us closer to each other.

Plunging us deeper into Him.

Reminding us that we live in a fallen and fragile world.

Where beauty and brokenness live side by side.

And that calamity can strike in any place at any moment.

That we can only find our balance in the One who set the earth on its axis.

The One Whose ways are higher than our ways and Whose thoughts are higher than our thoughts.

And Who will ultimately work everything out for the good of those who love Him.

So we wait and cling to hope and hope in Hope.

Knowing nothing can separate us from His love and care and comfort.

All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. ~Romans 8:22-28 (Message)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Filed Under: stories and reflections

Comments

  1. DS says

    March 18, 2011 at 6:38 pm

    What a post filled with hope. I like you snady. 😉

    • Sandra says

      March 18, 2011 at 7:48 pm

      And I like you! 🙂

  2. Karen Lange says

    March 18, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    I am glad He is in control. Have a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings,
    Karen

    P.S. Was out looking at the garden this morning…thought of you…:)

    • Sandra says

      March 18, 2011 at 7:49 pm

      I’m glad, too, Karen. And I seldom look at the garden without thinking of you. We need to start planning. I wonder if I dare expand mine this year. 😉

  3. Susan J. Reinhardt says

    March 18, 2011 at 9:57 pm

    Hi Sandy –

    When things like this earthquake happen, we become so aware how life can change in a moment. You’re so right. Our only stability is in the Lord.

    Crocuses are blooming here, and the trees are budding. I can’t wait for the profusion of blooms on cherry and dogwood trees. It reminds me of the scripture that says as long as the earth stands there will be seedtime and harvest.

    Blessings,
    Susan 🙂

  4. Beth says

    March 19, 2011 at 3:44 am

    I loved your post on hope. Such a timely post as well. I the facts you included at the top as well. I hadnt know those samll fcts about Japan being two feet more underwater or 13 feet closer to the US> I guess I just haven listend to tha part of the stories.
    My heart goes out to all those in Japan and effected by the events of the past week.
    Blessings

  5. V.V. Denman says

    March 19, 2011 at 8:56 am

    Another beautiful post, Sandy. Thank you for blessing us. You’ve given me a little peace in the midst of all the terrible news reports.

  6. Melinda Lancaster says

    March 20, 2011 at 11:48 am

    Beautifully written, Snady.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    LYI!

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We were monarch parents a couple years back, but o We were monarch parents a couple years back, but our food was not enough to support all our “children.”
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But some were better parents. And next month @tspoetry is celebrating with a garden party. And you are invited. 
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Hi! Long time, no post. So… I grew this from a Hi! Long time, no post. So…

I grew this from a pineapple top. We repotted it again over the weekend. Still no fruit, though. Our neighbor has a baby growing on a small plant, though. What’s up with that?

(Also, I do not have a green thumb. Currently the only things still living are this, an avocado, and a little Boston fern.)
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Photo taken in Israel, 2022.
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