Our
lives are regularly affected, in some degree, by stress, and anxiety.
There are disappointments, failures, farewells, deaths, lost
opportunities, accidents, disrupted personal relationships, and
so on. How
many times have we felt unwanted, deliberately ignored, or rejected?
These things wound us at the core of our being.
Jesus
knows our anguish and loneliness. It is in suffering that we develop our values.
It is in our trials that we acquire the wisdom to know, to love and to
honor Him. It
is because of love that God strengthens our faith, so that we may live a better
life. In due time we will understand the reason behind our miseries. Let's learn
from the story that follows.
A man from
Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share
this September 11, 2003 experience. His Name was Robert Matthews.
A few weeks before September 11th, my wife
and I found out that we were going
to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her
sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife
a safe trip and be with her.
Shortly after I said amen, we both heard a loud pop and the car
shook violently.
We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still
missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home.
I received a call from my father who was a retired NYFD. He asked what my
wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight. My father
informed me that her flight
was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to
speak. My father also had more news for me. He was going to
help. He said, "This is not something I can't just sit by for. I have
to do something."
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never
given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up.
Before he got off of the phone, he said, "Take good care of my
grandchild." Those were the last words I ever heard my father say. He
died while helping in the rescue effort.
My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became
anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for
nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never
know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my
wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I
could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with
a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, "I never
got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son."
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and
had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught
under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find
his wife and free her.
My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for
people like this. He then said, "There is something else you need to
know."
His
wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and
led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to
Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this
family would be able to thank him themselves.
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man
who gave his life so that mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize two things. First that God is always in
control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know
this side of Heaven, but God is always in control. And second is that though
it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.
Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love. You may
never know the impact it may have on someone. God
doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Stand before anyone.
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you
and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11~
We don't change the message, the message changes us. Man’s way leads to
a hopeless end, God’s way leads to an endless hope. He who kneels before
God can
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Tim