Today is 9/11. It's a date that all of us remember. A date that changed a lot of things in the world and the way we view things.
I remember 9/11/2001. Suzette and I had just returned at midnight on 9/10 from a ministry trip to Australia. My daughter Tori (then 13) woke us up telling us there was something on the news about a plane hitting a building. We were totally out of it with serious jet lag. We kind of blew her off.
Soon after we got up and starting watching the news, the second plane hit the second tower. We were in a daze. Hard to know how much was jet lag and how much was disbelief at was happening.
Now I look back 6 years ago and think about what life was like then. And what it is like now. And what it will be like on 9/11/2013. 6 years from now.
There are people I dearly loved then who are no longer a part of my life now. Sad. There are people I love who have stayed in my life since then. Peace. There are new people in my life that I dearly love that I didn't even know then. Happy. Somehow I know there will be new people in my life in 6 years who I don't even know now. Hopeful.
Funny. 6 years ago I probably would not have posted about people and love - love lost, love remaining, love coming. Now it matters more to me than almost anything.
Faith, hope, love. The greatest of these is love.
3 comments
I was working at a school when 9/11 happened. All of these students were looking to me for hope, and I was freaking out inside.
Now, 6 years later, I'm a different man. I'm not who I was. I have hope to offer others, and the courage to face fears.
Time always tells.
Posted on September 12, 2007 at 8:07 AM
September 11th ...along with a morning workout crowd, I saw this event explode across the multiple tv screens in the the gym. As the implications of what happened sunk in, the members left in a mass exodus to find their loved ones.
In quick succession, I remembered.. at that very moment my brother was to be sworn in as a new firefighter, graduating that morning in Hollywood, Florida.. My sister's daughter sat on the floor of her Sarasota, Florida classroom, listening to President Busch, as he read them a story - and received the news with a child's book in his hands.. and my father and step father- both in law enforcement, and most likely called in to duty.
Rapid fire thoughts...overwhelming pride and love for a brother who could have been any one of those brave guys sacrificing themselves- and overwhelming pain that he would be risking his life daily.. and is not saved. Yet. Panic for my sister and my niece- was the president being targeted? Everyone in the free world could see exactly where he was.. and my dad and stepdad- were they being called in to assist- where were they? And why aren't they saved?
Six years ago...wow. My brother is still a firefighter and an atheist. And I still love him fiercely. And I pray- everyday. My sister and her family- in one piece and prospering. My father.. now so saved he forgets, and tries to save me. Funny guy. My stepdad , witnessing his parents mortality ,is more receptive than in past years. More prayers.
Me, I have come full circle. Six years ago I was a part of the Rock family, and firmly rooted - I thought. A few years ago, I moved back to Sarasota- and left all I knew, and many people I loved.
September of last year I reunited with some old friends from church, and traveled to Asheville to see one get married. September of this year- I am finally going all the way back home where I belong.. to Asheville and to the Rock. And I am at peace, happy and hopeful. And I love,love, love it!!
Posted on September 13, 2007 at 8:36 PM
I whole heartedly agree! I have a squizillion friends and acquaintances but what matters most to me right now… I desire real friends and a sense of family central in my world. I want meaningful community. I want to do life with (at least a few) people who are friends for life.
The revolving door in church may be a universal problem but it has definitely affected the way I view all relationships now. I know it’s not personal; they don’t leave because of me. It’s about loss. A rip here and a rip there---and ouch!---does my heart ache. I still love them but know without a concerted effort, they (and the relationship) will naturally fizzle.
The instinct is to guard my heart from future pain but in the long run, that only hurts me and the new people coming in. So, I keep on loving no matter what and accept that seasons change and so do (some, not all!) the faces around me.
Family is big for me. I come from a very close knit family. For most people, when all else fails, family is there, family remains in tack. The Lord gave me a scripture when we left everything behind to come to Asheville.
And Peter said, “Behold, we have left our own homes, and followed you.” And He said to them, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times as much at this time and in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:28-30
The Creator designed us to be relational. Love is important enough that He commands us to love one another. I have purposed in my heart to keep loving people and will continue to cling to this scripture and His promise. He promises that we will have relationships that matter!
Posted on September 19, 2007 at 10:34 AM