September 11

September 11 is the anniversary of a day of great sorrow. Our shores were attacked. Innocent people were killed by people they'd never met. Other people committed the unspeakably horrible acts. People who had never been hurt themselves, hurt others for the sake of hurting them. God was present, or there would have been more people killed. I don't know why some died and others lived. But God does. I don't know why some committed these awful acts. But God does. I can't make sense of it. Thank God He can.

September 11 is also a wonderful day. It is my grandson's birthday. There have been a lot of births on September 11, both before 2001 and since. We cannot take the wonderfulness of the date away from new parents and grandparents. Just as we cannot take the awfulness away from those still grieving.

It has turned into such a strange date. Full of so many mixed feelings. My neighbor's sister was in the World Trade Center when it was intentionally hit by an airplane, causing the deaths of thousands of people. While we were celebrating the one year birthday of our grandson at our house, our neighbors, just three doors away, were grieving the anniversary of her sister's death. There were so many stories on the news reliving the events of that day. I find myself glued to the TV wanting to learn more...but I don't know why. It hurts my heart that people would do that to people, especially to people they don't even know. It is unfathomable that people can harbor such hatred.

The only thing I know is that God is good, all the time. Even then. Even now. God loves us, all of us, even those who are filled with such hatred as to hurt people they don't even know. God used the tragedy to bring healing to some. He used the events to show His providence and grace....just read the stories of people who were saved one way or another.

I will continue to celebrate my grandson's birthday. My neighbor will continue to use that day to reflect and remember her sister as will countless others. God will be with all of us. Thank God for that. Amen.

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