According to news reports, it hit shortly after 8 p.m. last evening, Pacific Daylight Time, and was centred just 47 kilometres east southeast of where I live. It, being an earthquake, clocked in at 3.5 and some say it was followed by a second, less weighty version. That's what I was told but I didn't feel a thing.
Earthquakes are a part of life for us Pacific Coast dwellers and the arrival of the impending "big one" is a daily possibility. In my books, all our bragging about warm weather, blooming flowers and mini-winters is muted by the reality of waiting for an earthquake that would, according to specialists, "rip Vancouver Island wide open.”
According to earthquake seismologist, Dr. John Cassidy: “During the past 30 days there have been nearly 100 earthquakes in southwest British Columbia so every day we have these small earthquakes happening all around us.” They are, he noted, a "powerful reminder that we live in an active earthquake zone". (http://globalnews.ca/news/1831562/3-5-magnitude-earthquake-hits-vancouvers-coast/)
Although I don't advocate living in a state of perpetual fear, there's something comforting about knowing that a minimum three-day supply of water, canned goods, prescribed medications and warm blankets are a few of the essentials packed into a preparedness kit. Our city emergency co-ordinator certainly pushes that message and every shaking is a reminder that our lack of prairie blizzards doesn't make us immune to treacherous weather.
Trouble is, the message is clear and often sounded, but how many bother to heed the warning. Too many times we do the same with Jesus' call to follow Him. By either deliberately or carelessly refusing to respond to His love, we miss out on the grace He offers.
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."
It's a love worth accepting!
