Fire. Domesticated, it warms our homes and cooks our food. Left to run wild, it destroys everything in its path: homes, communities, wildlife, watershed. Fire has the upper hand in California right now. Fire brought on by the EPA mandated mis-management of our forests that virtually destroyed our logging industry and let the forest understory grow unchecked. Fire exacerbated by our horrific drought that has turned the dry trees and brush into tinder awaiting a spark.
Rain. Rain is the answer. Rain and rain alone will tame the fires raging in our state as it begins to slake the thirst of our parched earth. Rain will wash the soot and dirt from our air and let us breathe easily again.
Prayer. Prayer binds us together as one community, whether we pray to God, to The Great Spirit, to Buddha, to Mother Earth…Prayer unites us as we search for answers, for meaning, for restoration.
Please join me this night, tomorrow, and continuing on without ceasing your prayer. Pray for rain that will vanquish the fires. Not just little sprinkles, but steady, solid rain that will soak into our dry ground and down into our aquifers. Pray for the safety of the firefighters, and of those whose homes and livelihoods are in the path of the fire. Pray that the rains come before it is too late.
Fire. Rain. Prayer.