Compassion Over Blame: A Call for Grace in the Wake of Tragedy

Never heard of Karen Piper? She is a retired University of Missouri professor (the alma mater
of my 97-year old mother). While most (sane) Americans looked in shock at the horror of the
wild fires in Southern California, Professor Piper thought it was a good time to assign blame to
certain victims. In particular, she felt the evil political ideals held by actor James Woods
warranted his home being burnt to the ground. I feel quite certain there are many people
thinking, if not saying, the same thing about those on the other side of the political aisle (especially in the field of entertainment) directly impacted by the fires. It does not make any of it right.

To discuss the public policies that bear a relationship to the onset of the fires or the ability to
deal with them is one thing. Noting that the Mayor of Los Angeles gutted the fire department
budget, cutting more than $17 million less than six months ago is fair game for discussion in the
world we live in. It can be considered to be premature to do it, but there is no element of “they
asked for it.” Gloating over the suffering of anyone is quite a different matter. That is bad,
wrong, evil and deserving of condemnation.

When the Civil War came to an end, General Grant had every opportunity to gloat and inflict
further misery and hardship on the Confederacy, led by General Lee. Instead, he showed mercy
and grace to the losers when they surrendered. They were allowed to keep their firearms and
horses. Those imprisoned were paroled. Those participating in the war were not prosecuted. A
clear and reasonable path back to citizenship was established. This is how wise and empathetic
leaders treated those who had literally gone to war against the United States.

These days, the gifts of sympathy and grace seem to be in far too short supply. Thinking
American includes caring about the hardships endured by those whose only crime is their zip
code. We, all of us, need to scream from the rooftops that affixing blame on the innocent
victims will be met with sharp and quick criticism whatever the source.

Our children may be taught this country is evil and filled with selfish people. That is simply
factually wrong. Think of what happens when there is a hurricane or a flood. During Katrina,
many declined to leave New Orleans after being warned multiple times. Deaths, loss of
property, widespread general destruction all followed. Still, I do not recall anyone in anything
resembling a position of authority ever assigning blame for all of this on the victims. That was
the right thing then, and it remains so today.

Other examples of the kindness and good heart of this great nation are abundant. Here is a
suggestion as to what would be a good idea to address the tragedy of these wild fires. Let us
declare this Sunday a day of national prayer for the victims.

Nobody deserves to be sitting in their home and have it burn to the ground. May the love and
peace of God surround all those coping and dealing with this terrible situation. That includes a
wide array of people starting those who lost family members, others who lost property, and the
firefighters risking their lives to put out the fires.

God bless them all.