9/11 thoughts, 18 years later...

On September 11, 2001 I was at a conference in Rochester NY. Shortly before 9 am, we heard improbable and fantastic stories of a plane crashing into one of the World Trade Center towers. We filed into the closed hotel bar to watch on TV. Early reports were that a small Cessna had crashed. The truth was known soon, as we watched a second aircraft strike the South Tower. And then watched as they fell, while hearing of another plane crashing into the Pentagon. And later, of heroes on another flight wrestling control away from terrorists and crashing into a field in rural Pennsylvania.

It was hard, in those moments, to fully comprehend what we were seeing. It was beyond our ability to process. But we all felt the knot in the pit of our stomachs, and some of us turned to prayer. Once past the who, what, and how questions, we always get to this question: Where was God?

Watching as hundreds of First Responders ran toward the burning and collapsing buildings, I was reminded of two things. First, this scripture from the first chapter of the book of the prophet Joshua, "I've commanded you to be brave and strong, haven't I? Don't be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." And secondly, something Mr. Rogers once said about when he was a boy and would see scary things on the news: “My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

Where was God? God was with the helpers. God cried alongside the mourners. God embraced the suffering and the lost. God comforted those in distress. God walked and ran with First Responders as they sought to help, sometimes losing their own lives in the process.

I am also a retired member of our Armed Forces, and I will never forget that part of the cost of 9/11 is also measured in the loss of service members, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, since that day. Not to mention those who have come home with physical injuries that they will live with for the rest of their lives. And not all injuries are visible - stand next to a combat veteran during a fireworks display and you’ll know what I mean.

Friends, it is good to honor our country and remember this day forever. And also remember this: God is with us wherever we go, and always look for the helpers.

Peace,

Jim

Where have I been?

Whew.

I've been away for a while. Pastoring a local church and negotiating change in a 200+ year old institution can be consuming. Here's a random thought for today, and a recommitment to try to get by here more often.

I love riding roller coasters, mostly wooden ones, although I do like some of the metal coasters. I've used coasters as a reference point for life, but never been fully clear on the dynamics of it.

You could say life is full of ups and downs, with the natural connotation being downs are less desirable than ups.

Or you could think of it as: life when climbing a hill is slow and uneventful, and you get the real rush and thrill while going downhill really fast.

Or maybe life starts out with lots of highs and lows, and eventually they get smaller and smaller until there aren't any more.

And then the Bible tells us that the mountains will be made low, and the valleys will rise up, so maybe level and flat is the way to go. 

The problem with having high levels of empathy is that I can look at both sides multiple ways.

So, my friend, whether your coaster is going up and you want to go down, or vice versa, may it be so.

I'm SO much help.

Jim