There hasn’t been a slow news day so far in A.D. 2025. That’s good news for a news producer, but bad news for all of the people affected by the news.
Before most people woke up on January 1, we had the deadly truck attack in New Orleans.
Today, we have the wildfires destroying parts of Southern California in what some are calling “apocalyptic” — a word I never recall seeing in the news prominently before (if it was used during 9/11, I don’t remember).
These stories are even overshadowing current events containing the names of Carter, Biden, and Trump.
To sum up, there is a lot going on that is impacting a lot of people, both in the middle of it and outside of it.
Thinking of those who are hurt
A newsworthy element to the fires in Southern California is that they are close to iconic locales and also destroying what could be known as “stars’ homes” near Hollywood.
Because of the recent news coverage, I could name a handful of celebrities whose homes have been burned to the ground.
Going back a few months, could I name anyone who lost their homes in North Carolina, Florida, or Georgia as a result of Hurricane Helene? No.
Does that mean the devastation in Southern California is more important than that of the storm damage last year? No.
Does that mean those affected by last year’s hurricanes should be more prioritized because they don’t have all of the wealth and riches of “those Hollywood people”? No.
Not everyone losing their home in California is an A-list celebrity. Their neighbors should not be held against them.
Whether it’s the storms in the southeast U.S., the wildfires in
Hawaii two years ago, or the current fires in California — they are all painful experiences hurting a variety of people.
They are all deserving of prayers and support. If you want to emphasize a particular group or region for your prayers and support, that is entirely up to you.
Not a time for division
I shouldn’t be surprised but I’m seeing a lot of divisive comments as crews try to contain the fires and people are trying to survive and salvage.
Can’t this be a time of unity?
Can’t we care for those in Los Angeles? Can’t we check in on our brothers and sisters in the southeast U.S.? Can’t we check on people in Hawaii? There was some storm damage in Wisconsin over the past 12 months too. There might be some people in our own backyards who need some help and support too.
Has New Orleans totally recovered? It’s been 20 years, maybe there is some help there that can be done yet.
Can’t we all together care for everyone?
If the Hollywood sign would happen to be damaged (and probably create an iconic photo op), does that make it any more or less tragic than a landmark damaged that is only known to a few people in a less populated area of the country? Why can’t they both be tragic?
Disasters shouldn’t be a time of finger-pointing and political arguing.
They should be a time of seeing the challenges others face and asking ourselves, “What can we do to help them?”
People will need differing measures of help. Maybe some well-to-do California people can rebuild and regroup quicker than others, but not everyone can.
If you don’t want previous natural disaster victims to be forgotten, then don’t.
Take it to prayer. Ask God where your help can be the most helpful.
What’s to come
We have a lot of 2025 to go. We’re not even in February yet.
Not to be a total pessimist, but who knows what is yet to come?
There could be more disasters. There could be more deaths.
Somewhere something is going to happen where a lot of people are going to need help.
Are we going to be helpful or are we just going to comment on it?
If you help best with your checkbook, do it. If you help best with your hands, do it. If you help best with your prayers, do it.
Any time a brother or sister in Christ is affected, we’re all impacted by it.
The worst thing we can do is say that someone who needs help doesn’t need help. Who really decides that?
For those of us whose homes are intact, have plenty to eat and wear, have income, and have our health — we are blessed.
We may need to prepare for the fact that some of our time, talent, and treasure — all God-given — could be needed elsewhere.
Think of what a better world this would be, if, instead of complaining and getting angry, we’d watch the news (especially a bad story) and ask ourselves “How can I help make that a better situation?”
We can all do this together.
Thank you for reading.
I’m praying for you.