November 2022 Newsletter
Hello!
Fire. That was how my November 2nd started. I was about to get into my car when I saw smoke and flames coming from my neighbor’s soft-sided 10 foot by 8 foot dumpster bag that they had placed on the boulevard. I grabbed my phone and called 911. As I did this my neighbor called out from her house. I said, “You have a fire, I have called the fire station, they are on their way.”
The day was windy and the flames were only getting bigger and bolder. She ran back inside and came out with a small fire extinguisher, which she handed to me. I am about 20 years older than her. She said, “I don’t know how to use one of these.” I pulled the pin and began shooting the white clouds of chemicals at the fire. At first, we thought we had it. It died down so quickly. But as we turned to comment to each other how well we were handling the situation, we saw the flames start up again. By this point we could hear the fire engines coming down Snelling Ave. I handed her the extinguisher, figuring she would want a chance to use it as well. I moved my car which I felt was too close. When the fire truck came, about 4 firemen went right to work, a hose and some rakes and it was secured. Turns out it was arson. My neighbor had seen a young man picking through the rubbish just before the fire started. He had set something on fire, this was happening in various parts of the neighborhood.
Fire. Two days before this, I had been out front in my yard watching the flames dance blue, orange and yellow. I had my family around me and I was in a witch costume and was at peace. The fire was much closer to my house, just steps from my front door, but I felt no fear or uncertainly. This fire was contained in a fire pit we bought at Menards. All was right with the world.
It struck me that the same element—fire—could bring me both fear and peace. This is true of other elements of creation: wind and water. Recently Tom and I made reservations for our favorite vacation spot, Fort Myers Beach, Florida. A day later we watched the footage on YouTube. All the structures we knew (including the hotel we are hopeful to get a refund from) were gone—completely obliterated by the wind and water whipped up by Hurricane Ian. Only last Spring I had sat on that same beach, at peace, looking out at the water, a gentle breeze keeping me cool. All was right with the world.
This world is peaceful and chaotic—dangerous and life-giving. We don’t control it and yet God has given us dominion over it and expects to do our very best to take care of it. We strive to learn the best ways to care for the earth, knowing we will not bring an end to wildfires or hurricanes or tornadoes.
In the end, we know our Creator God is with us in the times that fire dances safely and in the times it threatens to take its own course. That is the best we can do, for now and always, trust in our Loving Creator.