LENT 2014 - DAY 22

Oso.  In Spanish it means bear.  It is also translated as predator.  This past Saturday (March 22, 2014) a heavily forested mountain across the river from a close-knit neighborhood in the small town of Oso became that predator and created one of the largest landslides Washington State has ever experienced.  Tons and tons of dirt, rocks and trees buried Oso and most of its residents and visitors.   The shock waves of the event continue as news coverage reveals the devastation to families of loved ones whose lives were snuffed out in that tragic awful moment.  As the death toll rises individuals are being identified, their stories told.  It is heartbreaking.

One of the tragedies is that there was plenty of advance warning that this type of event could occur - and those who should have read the report either didn't read it or ignored it.  Multiple prior slides gave geologists the information needed to state definitively that a massive slide was a likelihood - not 'if' but 'when' was the issue.  And when happened.

The only light in this dark, dark tunnel are a few wonderful stories of rescues that occurred - but they are far too few!

The Bible has forewarnings for us!

There is another tragedy to be averted.  We have warnings of the end of time, clear warnings - and yet many ignore those as well.  All the evidence is there:

As it was in the days of Noah....  It will be the same at the end of time.   As horrible as what happened in Oso is, it could draw people to God, if they recognize that the warnings about that event went unheeded....and there is a much larger event coming we have been alerted to, but many are ignoring.

My deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones.  As impossible as it sounds, God is there in the midst of the pain and sorrow, hurting with you; and throughout our wonderful state and country, you are in our prayers.

We grieve with those who grieve, mourn with those who mourn, and share your joy in the stories that have surfaced offering a few rays of hope in an otherwise very dark disaster.