Lahaina

There are some signs that this 150-year-old banyan tree, decimated by the recent wildfire in Lahaina, Maui may survive. Prior to the fire, the tree served as the cultural and social center of the city. It occupied an entire city block. Families picnicked beneath it, workers ate their lunch there, and festivals were held under its branches. I am so thankful I was fortunate enough to enjoy time there, sitting in its shade, fascinated by its aerial roots, the result of decades of hard work by dedicated gardeners who hung pickle jars full of water on them. As the roots reached downward to drink, they eventually reached the ground and formed trunks. The was planted in 1873 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the first Protestant Christian mission in Lahaina. It had grown from one 8-foot-tall trunk to eventually be 60 feet tall, with 16 large trunks, covering the entire .66-acre central square of the town. What a wonder! It has recently sprouted some new leaves. There is hope!

A tragedy like the recent wildfire is so hard for us as Christians to understand. Does God send it to teach us something? If so, what? Does He send it to punish us? Does it come because of something foolish we did? These are hard questions, and I have no answers. All I know we can do in the face of tragedy is to pray for those impacted, do what we can to support recovery efforts, and remain thankful for what we had before it was lost.