In memory of those whose lives were lost on September 11, 2001 and those whose lives have been lost fighting for a safer world. Praying that God will comfort their loved ones and friends. Thank you to all the servicemen and women serving our country.
'MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL'
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001. Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.' I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, 'Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK..I am ready to go.'
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas , Virginia , California , Michigan , Afghanistan . I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all know Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do.. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you . But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. God
I believe this is a modern "twist" on the Bible verse found in Psalm 33:10:
"The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: He maketh the devices of the people of none effect."
It sure describes my summer! Remember my plan to continue homeschooling my children in the 4R's through the summer without them even realizing it? Yeah, well here's what happened instead:
June -
We tie up all the loose ends of our formal school year and I take a few days to plan out our summer.
We spend a week camping with our extended family.
I decide to postpone my secret summer-schooling until after our 18 year-old son's Open House on July 11th.
July/August -
My 88 year-old grandma (who raised me) goes into the hospital with pancreatitis and diverticulitis.
My 89 year-old grandpa (yeah, her husband) goes into the hospital to have some polyps removed from his bladder.
We spend lots of time totally renovating our family room in preparation for the upcoming open house.
Somehow, said open house happens, with very few hitches.
(Hitch 1: Not checking your church bulletin to make sure the starting time is not listed as an hour earlier than it really is!)
(Hitch 2: Forgetting that if you're going to have an outside, evening bonfire/open house, you should probably string up some lights. It was pretty funny watching people holding their open cell phones over the food table trying to find the potato salad!)
After coming dangerously close to losing her, both my grandparents are out of the hospital and come to our house to recuperate.
A few days after they get settled in, I end up in the ER with a kidney blockage and stone.
Not just a normal kidney stone ... nope, not me. I have a type that will require the placement of not one, but two stents, 3 separate procedures, and basically 7 weeks of bedrest.
Which brings us to now ... Labor Day weekend ... the end of summer ... the time when school begins. Anyone hear God still chuckling a bit?
When life gets overwhelming for me, I tend to withdraw into myself. Do you ever do that? I quit returning phone calls, I cancel appointments and playdates, I even forego my quiet times with the Lord. Somehow I just don't feel worthy to come before the King of kings. I begin listening to the evil one, who is all to happy to feed my fears.
This morning we celebrated communion during our worship service. As the "wine" (grape juice!) was being passed, and the congregation was quietly praying, this is the verse that came to my mind:
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
-Proverbs 18:1, NKJV
Wow! It suddenly hit me like a ton of bricks!! I not only "hide" from God, I tend to isolate myself from everyone, especially my Christian friends, for fear disapproval and 'wise judgment'.
Today I'm praising God for showing me how I tend to retreat, withdraw, avoid difficult situations. This is not the example I want to set for my children. I want them to know that especially during the hard times, we should be drawing close to Him, and allowing His body to draw close to us.
Praise the Lord, He loves me unconditionally!!
**Please leave me your email or web address so I can "talk back" to your comments! :o)
This is the year of "milestone" birthdays in our family ...
Kelly, our oldest daughter, turns 30 in August
Erika, our second oldest daughter, turns 20 in April
Middle son, Jacob, turns 18 THIS Friday! [sniff, sniff]
Rebekah -- my baby -- turns 13 in May. Guess it's time to work on that "baby fat" huh?!
And last, but certainly not least, my darling, dear hubby turns 49 in April. I know, the milestone birthday should be 50, but he says he's staying 49 forever!
Please leave me your email or web address so I can "talk back" to your comments! :o)
I am a Christian wife and homeschooling mother to 6 beautiful children ... 12, 13, 17 19, 26, and 29. Yes, we had them in sets of two!! We are homeschooling the youngest 4, the 5th just moved back home for a spell, and the sixth is getting married in November.
We also raise Pomeranian and Shih-Tzu puppies. I love reading mysteries, crocheting, scrapbooking, and reading other like-minded blogs. :o)
