L.A. Fires and A Tribute to First Responders

Since the fires in California, I’ve desired to write a post, but anything I would possibly write about seemed trite as I thought about the families devastated by the fires. I just couldn’t bring myself to “carry on” as “usual” while hearing about and watching the mass destruction that’s happening in an area which is so dear to my heart.

I grew up in Southern California and lived there for the majority of my life. I bought my first house there, raised my kids there and, left there only 4 years ago with tears streaming down my face.

When the news sites the street Valley Circle, I think back to walking Valley Circle every day on the way to and from Elementary School. When I hear, “Topanga Canyon” I think how my best friend lived up the road just off Topanga Canyon and how I drove down Topanga as a teenager on the way to my orthodontist’s office.

Pacific Coast Highway, driving Pacific Coast Highway was like living a dream—seeing the beach as the waves crashed against the shore and looking at the homes on the coast fantasizing what it would be like to live in “one of those” homes. The view was breathtaking.

Hearing “Zuma Beach” brought be back to when I was 6 years old and got lost on the beach in my little blue bikini with my feet playing in the sand until a family member found me. Santa Monica Beach became by safe space as an adult to sit on the sand, read my Bible and converse with God.

God tells us in His word in Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” But. But. REALLY? This verse is hard to swallow when things are tough. Only those going through what many of us can hardly fathom…know. Throwing that verse at someone “in the thick of it” would be unkind and insensitive. But in the quiet moments I ask God, “Really? How?” How can this actually be true? It seems impossible.

In many of my own trying times I’ve thought of that verse in Romans and questioned how it can be possible. When we are hurting it’s hard to see any good in it.

“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

God tells us we will have struggle and trouble and heartache but knowing that doesn’t seem to lessen the pain of it. Heartache comes with life.

It looks as though the fires will be contained, and done, soon. What does a hero look like? Firefighters have shown us over the last weeks. These brave firefighters hopefully will soon be back with their families.

And rebuilding will be the next order of business. Much like what I lived through and witnessed after the 1994 Northridge earthquake, even the freeway I drove daily was demolished.

The brave men and women of L.A. who have lost more than the unmanageable will somehow rebuild their lives.  And we will all be cheering for them as they do.

Los Angeles is one of the best places to live in the world, and I loved living there. My heart breaks for all of you affected by this disaster. Thank you to all the first responders who helped so many and continue to do so.

For more from Lucille Williams you can check out her books, From Me to We, The Intimacy You Crave, The Impossible Kid: Parenting a Strong-Willed Child with Love and Grace, and Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6. We invite you to subscribe to LuSays today.