You have undoubtedly heard about the wildfires that are currently raging across Los Angeles.  By any measure, they are creating enormous tragedy in the region.  It's difficult to see a silver lining.  Thousands upon thousands of people, rich and poor and inbetween, have lost everything.  Absolutely everything.

    No matter how much or how little we have, to summarily and categorically lose it, particularly when we do not expect to do so, can be singularly and profoundly devastating. Imagine:  one day you have everything; the next day you have nothing.

    It's the most frightful of losses.  Predictably, many of those who are suffering are turning to church and religion to deal with the enormous pain.  When what we have on this planet is suddenly gone, we tend to turn to that which we do not see but that which we want to think is still there.

    Is this a crutch?  Maybe.  At least, however, it is a crutch with purpose.  Unseen purpose, perhaps, but purpose just the same, one bigger than itself.

    Is the world really an accident?