For me it started with an email from Ernesto cancelling Tuesday
nights Dustin Arms ministry. The Bernardo fire had shut down the area, and all
church activities were cancelled. But Wednesday afternoon after volunteering at
Gabe’s, we give out free clothing, and minister to the homeless, I saw a plume
of smoke to the north. Thinking it as the Bernardo fire, as I passed that area,
it was still north of me, and when I passed the Auto Park, I could see the hills
above to the west in flames. And getting home, the view from our driveway
looked like it was right there, but was still 3 mile away. Still close, but not
worried, we went to Costco Thursday morning, and people were commenting on the
fire, and how it had subsided...and then we came out, and three new black clouds
of smoke were filling the area of San Marcos, now called the Coco fire. Over
the years I have gotten to tell by the smoke what is going on, and this was
black and thick, fresh new fire, and probably a house. By now even the clear
air was getting dirty, and the live coverage on TV wasn’t good news, the Coco
fire was spreading fast. Evacuations were in order, and panic was setting
in.
My initial thought was to check it out, and after heading down
to the Auto Park area, I turned onto Country Club Drive, please don’t confuse it
with Country Club Lane, where I live off of. And the streets were lined with
people, lookie loos, blocking roads and access for fire fighters. Just the
appearance of any BMW driven yuppie, slowing and weaving at 15mph, taking cell
phone pictures makes me a death sentence advocate. By passing them on my Tiger,
truly motorcycles are the only way to get around, I passed a horse farm, with
many horses still there, and a few people standing around. Just a few blocks
down, were many Calfire trucks, and both sides of CC Drive were on fire. I
pulled into the ranch area, and found a man who owned the stables, and told me
they were told to stay, the area had no brush, and was a firebreak. I asked if
I could help, and hung around. Three horses in individual stalls were nervous,
the smoke was heavy, and we were 150-200 feet from the flames. I went up to a
huge painted horse, who let me pet him, and he cried out loud-he was scared.
Getting horse goober all over me. An Appaloosa was skiddish, and another brown
horse actually put its head on my shoulder. Then a waiting truck came to get
them, then attended to a corral of babies and mothers-about 25 horse in
all.
Down the dirt road then came a fire truck, and unlocked a gate
trying to access the flames. About 100 feet from us another truck was providing
back up for a grader cutting a fire break among the trees, you could barely see
the tractor for the smoke although only 100 feet away. The owner finally
persuaded the fire truck to move to where they could access the fire better, and
where water was available, and they did. I followed safely behind to Surry
Lane, where 6 fire trucks were huddled up, and I noticed a woman in an SUV,
looking like she was packing to leave, with two teenagers. I asked if I could
help, and she said she was OK, they were passing out water to the firefighters,
5 gallon pails of water on ice...and you could see by the looks on the
firefighters faces it was appreciated. And it was time for me to get out,
dodging the yuppies as I left, I felt safer near the flames.
Before heading home I went down past Palomar Hospital, and
behind my cardiologist’s building to watch the flames. Escondido police were on
guard, and I watched with a young woman. We said nothing, no comments
necessary, until an older man came up and asked her “how far away is the fire?”
And the first memorable quote of the day followed, as she said “I don’t know,
that’s San Marcos, and I’m Escondido.” Careful not to venture out of Escondido
lady, you never know what awaits you. By this point my lungs were filled with
smoke, bad for anyone, but for someone who had open heart surgery, big time
bad. So I left, only after one quick trek to a home that had been vacated, one
final look as flames overtook a home, and wondered if this house was next. And
the news continued well into the night.
My second favorite quote of the day, came from a man who had
lost everything, his house and cars burned in the fire. When interviewed, and
asked how he felt, where do they come up with questions like that, his answer
was “this is not the worst thing to happen to me, the past 5 years under Obama
were even worse.” Great line, great truth, and the young reporter had nothing
to say. This man had lost everything, but still saw his values taking
precedence over his valuables. Bet he had no BMW! And in between, you could
still see the shock, the horror, and the fear on people’s faces. Where to
turn...what will be next.
In conditions of testing, trials, we see where our true
character lays. For yuppies, valuables will always be first, shaping their
questionable values. For others like the woman passing out water, she saw a
need and filled it. Many others did too, and still are and still will be, when
the fire is out, the second phase of assault begins. And this is where people
either turn to God, or blame God. Who know God rescued them, and like one
family in Carlsbad, whose house burned down, they found their fireproof safe,
and when opened found charred pictures, “a miracle,” they exclaimed, and still
have charred remains of their wedding. Some will rebuild, some will move on,
some will take the money and run. Each one facing life in a different
viewpoint, being changed forever. But only those turning to Jesus will truly
have their lives changed forever, and will escape the fiery death that hell
promises. Fire, the devil’s only friend, from a line we learned from American
Pie, scripture showing how wood, hay, and stubble will burn, but only the things
of God shall remain. As Christians we are the most treasured things to God, and
although it is hard suffering loss, God works things out in His way. Even after
catastrophes, He is there, and in them too. Like the fourth man in the fire
with Daniel, Jesus never leaves.
And good news yuppies, as my wife reminds me “He died for you
too.” He took you through another fire, maybe a test to bring you closer to
Him. That it is your values that will impact your life, and others, and make an
eternal difference, not your valuables. So “bye, bye Miss American Pie, drive
my Chevy to the levee, but the levee was dry.” Your life doesn’t have to be.
And it doesn’t take a fire to find Jesus. That day among the flames, many saw
God through the love of other neighbors, the dedication of firefighters, and
through those who care to make a difference. I hope the policewoman finds out
someday the distance between her and God is shorter than the distance between
Escondido and San Marcos. They share a common boundary, I ‘m glad my common
boundary knows no boundaries, His name is Jesus. We are told to save for a
rainy day, how many were saving for a fiery night? What are you saving for?
And what has Jesus saved you from and for? Let’s pray.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com