We were still watching orientation videos and reading articles about our new home. The survival video in case of a massive earthquake and other related disasters was a bit intense. My eyes were wide open. It was a lot to take in; nevertheless, we were making a list of all suggested items for a GO BAG, and we were on a trajectory to get all the necessary supplies.

With only smatterings of conversations with others about the 2011 earthquake (its tenth anniversary commemorated this past week), it had us thinking. Perhaps we had already experienced a few tremors, unaware. This information was way more earthquake talk than I wanted to hear!

And then it happened. Sitting on our couch one Saturday afternoon at about 2:10. The couch and the iPad on my lap began to move from side to side like soft jello. The shift lasted long enough for me to understand what was happening. I’d say eight to ten seconds. Once things were still, I said, “Well, Lord, I guess that was a tremor.” My husband did not feel it in the other room. After I documented it, I went on about my day. Since that shake happened during the day, you know it is not the quake that gives this blog its title.

I love scripture writing. I have several blogs devoted to this topic and recommend this practice to anyone who loves the Lord.

Psalm 4:8 ~In peace, I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

The verse above was the third one I’d scribbled down before heading into one of the deepest nights of sleep I can remember. I am no deep sleeper, nor do I write scripture every night. At 11:08 pm was when the movement began. I could not figure out what the sensation was that seemed big, and all over the room. And it wouldn’t stop. As the room shook from side to side my mind confirmed an earthquake. Around 20 – 30 seconds later, it stopped, and my husband and I marveled at the fact we’d experienced an earthquake. Later we learned its impact was only a four to five on the Shindo scale. The epicenter up north experienced a seven. Would you believe after we chatted, I again returned to sleep peacefully all night? For all who find that unthinkable, I do too. All glory to God and His Spirit!

God’s power was so evident in our lives to something so unfamiliar. Knowing His presence and power then gave assurance of His future comfort. The preparation for this peace started before the event. His tender loving care of not only our lives and our unfamiliar space, and over our minds and spirits was a blessed and wonderful promise realized in those late-night moments of unrest.

Are you ready for things unseen? We can’t be notified, or alerted to everything that is coming in life. How you prepare is important. You don’t have to know what you are preparing for. You can prepare without knowing. I know of no other way to keep the peace than to grab hold of some biblical practices that become habits. There are ideas on this website. Are you ready for lifes earthquakes? 

©Valerie Rumfelt

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