I don’t know that I’ll ever forget that day in 1980 when Mount St. Helens erupted.
At the time we lived in the southern part of British Columbia, just an hour from the Canadian-US border and not far from the infamous site.
Although we didn’t see the extent of the upheaval, we certainly felt its effects. For a few days our skies were dark with smoke and ash and Hubby spent time each day cleaning the debris off our car.
Our experience was limited to mostly interest in following the story as well as a fair bit of extra work but according to an on-line source, it was the “deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Fifty-seven people were killed; 250 homes, 47 bridges, 15 miles (24 km) of railways, and 185 miles (298 km) of highway were destroyed.”
The cost of that melting mountain reached far beyond what we were able to see.
Although such eruptions aren’t commonplace (thank God!), none of us escapes the trauma of physical, emotional or spiritual devastation. Be those events large or small, they leave us shaken and often, affected by for the rest of our lives.
This week began with news of the loss of yet another brother-in-law, the second one in six months; although that was the first event and, admittedly the most painful, there were reminders during the rest of the week that life here on earth is far from perfect.
Looking back to the day Mount St. Helens blew its stack, I’m reminded that we’re called to do what we can to handle difficulties but there are challenges so great that we need the power of God to intervene.
“…the mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord.” Psalm 97:5
Mountain too high? Not for God!
