Tuesday, August 23, 2011

One Thousand Gifts - Earthquake Version



John worked a 13 1/2 hour shift. He came home shortly after 1 PM. Tired. Hungry. I warmed up a plate of leftover spaghetti for him and he relaxed a bit in front of the TV. Seemed to be a typical scenario in our home. His job as State Trooper is stressful. Police work always is because you never know who it is you are stopping for a simple speeding ticket. On top of that, he works long hours; taking every overtime assignment available to help pay for college.


It was close to 1:45 when he went to lie down. "Sweetheart, would you come rub my back a bit before I sleep?" He talked briefly about his day as I rubbed his shoulders. Then we heard a noise. A rumbling. It sounded like a huge truck coming down the street. "What is that?" I asked. It became louder. The floor was shaking. Earthquake! I ran down the hallway, through the living room. Our small house never seemed so long. I entered the den where Holly had been doing her school work. She was under the table. I joined her. Together we felt the house sway back and forth like a swing - or a strange ride at King's Dominion might be a more accurate description. No seat belts. No safety bars. Only a simple prayer for God to keep us safe. I don't know how long it lasted. John wasn't far behind but the danger was over before he got to us. He checked things outside. Everything seemed fine. Life was back to normal, even if my insides were still shaking.

Each and every day I can find something to be thankful for. Some days these blessings, these gifts are more obvious. Today I am thankful for:

  • water coming out of my faucet
  • electricity coming through the wires of my home
  • phone coming from . . . somewhere
  • food in my pantry
  • and refrigerator
  • safety in an earthquake
  • my little girl who remembered what to do when I wasn't in the room when danger loomed
  • technology
  • facebook to connect with family and say we are fine
  • friends who care
  • the promise of Christ's soon return
  • a successful first day of school
  • my sweet girl working diligently
  • new school books
  • a cooler summer day
  • wisdom
  • a multitude of counselors "Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14
  • God Who knows me by name
  • and loves me
  • every moment that God is watching over me and I don't even think about it
What are you thankful for? You can share your blessings at Ann's

2 comments:

  1. I can't imagine what it's like to feel the ground shake under my feet. But it makes me thankful that my feet are planted firmly on The Solid Rock. Many blessings!

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  2. I like the above comment!! Oh Karen, you had my heart skipping a beat as you told about the earthquake. I've never experienced one, thankfully. How scarry! Glad you all are fine.

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