Monday, September 11, 2006

remembering ...

9/11 ... in 2001 ... i was on a road trip to see my dad, who was dieing of inoperable throat cancer ... it was a long 8 hour drive ... leo stayed at home ... my cousin, however, was with me ... we first heard about it on the radio ... then the stories got worse and worse ... my first thought was to turn around and be with leo ... but after hearing his reassuring voice on the phone ... i continued on, for what was to be my last visit with dad ... he died a month later ...

i remember the sickening feeling that was in the pit of my stomach ... the fear that gripped my heart ... my eyes searched the heavens as i prayed, "please come back SOON! ... " ....

5 years ... and the sadness over man's inhumanity to man remains - and continues in other forms ... how can hate so rule the heart? - to do something so horrific to another?

to me, the signature of sin was so evident ... an event like this makes me cling to Christ my Redeemer ... and to yearn for His Kingdom even more ... i find Hope in Him alone ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jesus said: And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled ... (read the rest of His words in Matthew 24) ...

scripture reassures us that: "The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 ...


12 comments:

Terry said...

Dear Saija...Such a sad but also encouraging post.

I will put this picture on my computer desk top for the week...Love Terry

We are but strangers here
Heaven is our home...

auntibeck said...

When I think of the pure evil that rests in the heart of man, I am immediately drawn to the heart of the Savior who provided a way for our hearts to be right with God, and who will make it all RIGHT one day--in a moment--a twinkling of an eye! And this life with its difficulties, trials, and suffering, will be replaced with a glorious eternity with the One who came to deliver us from the evil one.

I love your reflections and at this moment I too am reliving all of those moments, hours, days, years now, of grief. I do pray that God would bring justice and truth and right--in His time. It may not happen in this life, that's for sure, but for now, we cling to Truth, and look for that Blessed Hope--and that is enough for me to keep on. "If my people, who are called by name, will humble themselves, and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear their voice, and will heal their land..."
Blessings,

Diane Viere said...

Your reflections are beautiful. I am so sorry for the loss of your father....yet, through the pain of such a deep loss...you have shared a poignant post.

I have taken part in the 2996 Project and have posted today a tribute honoring Sergeant Michael Curtin who willingly entered the Twin Towers on a rescue mission--and was carried out of the rubble of Ground Zero months later. So many lives lost...so many heroes.

Diane

Fred said...

And, thanks to our Canadian neighbors for helping us through that horrific day.

Saija said...

terry ... yes, we are just pilgrims, passing through ...

auntibeck ... it is sad to re-live these times, but it is also a "lest we forget" type of moment ... i'm so glad that heaven is my eternal home ...

Diane ... i was over to read your post ... so many productive and "good" lives lost ...

fred ... you always find a good word - must be a gift! i know when the planes had to land at the closest airports, many opened up their homes and made new friends ...

Maggie Ann said...

It is sad to hear about your Father's illness and passing. A day given to sad reflections but as you so beautifully put it, a day of great hope also, because we belong to Jesus and he loves us so.

Saija said...

maggie ann ... those that put their hope in only "man" ... they will be so dissapointed at the end of the age ... but as the hymn says "my hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood & righteousness, i dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name ..." ... sweet comfort indeed ... HUGS to you ...

Saija said...

i meant to type DISAPPOINTED ... but either way - incorrectly written or not ... the sentiment remains ...

Anonymous said...

My heavenly home is bright and fair, I feel like traveling on....

We have a bright future ahead of us, those of us who love HIM! Oh that everyone saw the wisdom in so doing!!

Saija said...

elizabeth ... yes, only Jesus can make the blind (spiritual ones) see again ...

Catherine said...

Amen, Saija, may we never forget.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Saija said...

catherine ... the older we get, the more goodbyes we have to say ... you've had your share of them too ... in the light of a major tragedy, there are always those personal ones too ... *hugs*