Why In the World

Why in the World? I asked myself, "Why in the world did God create earthquakes and tsunamis? There is such devastation, tragedy, lost lives, horrific suffering. And then, I knew. Long ago, before man populated the earth, Before men developed metropolitan areas upon the ocean shore, When mother earth was free to ebb and flow, free to grow. There were seasons and tides, rotations and revolutions. Her face was painted in different shades as time progressed. Upheavals and uplifting, subuctions and cooling took place. Eons saw her crust and mantel strengthened, altered…recycled. The ocean waters rinsed the shores rhythmically. The moon reined its beauty upon the nights and sands drifted. Pulsating waves washed the shore…cleansing and eroding. Crushes of elements sank to her ocean floor. The shore rejoiced in its newness…for a while. But balance is a key to restoration, a function of recycling. She quivers; the earth quakes; the ocean regurgitates upon the shore. Tsunamis return upon the land that which had been washed away. Regaining equilibrium within the earth’s core. Forcefully, volatile, crushing, engulfing, and renewing. Long ago, before man populated the earth, it served her well. Earthquakes and tsunamis were a blessing to the planet. A natural renewal process maintaining balances purposefully. Fulfilling a function…like a hurricane or a tornado. Perspectives changed when man spread around the earth. Civilizations developed; populations increased. Man built upon Mother Nature’s shores to enjoy her beauty. But the moon still reined her forces. And the need for balance amid life cycles remained. Freely we are given that which can be quickly removed. Our souls cry out for understanding of that which must be. Balance amid all things: atoms, cells, bodies, systems, planets, And universes… © March 13, 2011 Dane Smith-Johnsen