Fire In The Sky

The perfect storm came together at 6:30am Saturday morning June 9th, 2012.  The conditions for this storm had all the right properties.  Dry beetle infested trees, high winds, heat, low humidity and the last component from mother nature a lightning strike. As frightening and  dangerous as this fire is there is a feeling of contemplative awe that of wonder, beauty, compassion, suffering and tension that the whole universe holds. Learning to hold this tension between the reality of the moment and the possibility that something better might emerge, is explained by Parker J. Palmer in his book  A Hidden Wholeness.   He says we live in a tragic gap - a gap between the way things are and the way we know they might be.  We know what might be when we choose to live in areas of nature that offers high risk.  Whether that be forested areas, ocean fronts, or the heartland which also can be ravaged by mother nature. He also says in this tension that this small tight fist of a thing called our heart can break open into greater capacity to hold more of our own and the world's suffering, joy, despair and hope. This is so very evident in seeing and reading about the goodness of people when others are faced with tragedy, sadness, and loss. I look to the better things that will emerge from this fire, although I don't know what that will be at this moment, but I do know that God will see to the healing of his people and the restoration of this forest in his time.  I pray for the victims of this tragedy, the safety of the many firefighters working around the clock, and containment so something better can emerge. 

 

High Park fire seen from our deck

    

High Park fire plume Saturday 6/9/2012