I think about what happened on this day 19 years ago, and the state of mind I was in. Complete turmoil and chaos. Questions without answers. Wondering if Jim survived when the North Tower collapsed… but knowing deep down that he couldn’t have. Praying to God for a miracle… but at the very same time, cursing God for letting this nightmare happen. Back then, my knowledge of God was superficial and shortsighted: I was under the very mistaken assumption that if I showed up in church and did a few good deeds, then God would never let anything bad happen to me – or to my loved ones. I thought I was as close to God as I needed to be… but I couldn’t have been farther away.
Looking back, 19 years later, I fall to my knees in worship as I consider God’s grace. There I was, screaming at The Almighty like a spoiled brat who didn’t get her way. And there He was, loving me unconditionally and providing for all my needs (through YOUR prayers and letters and meals and donations). God understood that I didn’t understand. I didn’t understand what His Son Jesus did for me 2000 years ago. I didn’t understand that He would soon bring beauty from ashes. I didn’t understand that He would use the tragedy of 9/11 to save my lost soul. Don’t get me wrong: there’s still a lot that I don’t understand. But I DO know this without a doubt: there’s only one way to have true peace (peace WITH God and the peace OF God)……and that’s through Jesus Christ.
Another thing most of us clearly remember about September 11, 2001 is that our nation came together in perfect unity. The unthinkable murder of thousands of innocent people by radical Islamic terrorists brought our nation together in a way that was nothing short of beautiful. Today, we face other enemies: Coronavirus has already claimed so many innocent lives, and the numbers keep rising. But instead of solidarity, strong opinions battle against each other. Racial turbulence and a Political Circus both add fuel to the fire of division. Where is love? Where is grace? Where is forgiveness? Where is peace?
I believe that all 4 (love, grace, forgiveness & peace) can only be found when we turn away from our destructive selves and turn to (or turn back to) Jesus Christ. I experienced that truth firsthand, about a year after 9/11. I gave my sinful heart and my shattered life to Jesus, and He completely transformed me – from a devastated, angry widow to a Christian author & speaker. So please join me in prayer for the repentance of our nation. Pray that we will once again be the UNITED States of America. Pray that we will once again rest on the foundation of “In GOD We Trust”. And pray that we will once again TAKE GOOD CARE OF EACH OTHER……regardless of our color, our political stand, and our face masks……just as we cared for each other after 9/11.
And thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers & support for me, and for all the 9/11 families. God bless you!
