I acquired my real estate license a while back. Between that and juggling family, I have been so busy and neglectful in blogging. So, to pick up where I left off, I’m trying to commit to blogging at least once a week.
Today is September 11th, and no one can look at that date without remembering what it represents; a day of unfathomable tragedy. No one would have predicted that on a Tuesday morning the worst terrorist attack in the nation’s history would occur. People awoke that morning, got their kids ready for school, made breakfast, dressed and showered for work, and commuted into their place of employment, not knowing it would be their last day on earth.
The truth is that none of us are promised tomorrow. In James 4:13-14 NIV, it reads “Now listen you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The reality that the verse points to is that life is short and things can change in mere seconds.
Now fifteen years later I watch the memorial on television. Family members take turns reading names of those who lost their lives that day. Among them are moms, dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, firefighters, police, and other first responders. I hear a diverse chorus of last names, and a bell ringing for the times that the planes hit the trade center towers, the Pentagon, and the flight 93 that crashed with everyday heroes on board struggling to take back control. One man who was remembering his older brother said, “Fifteen years feels like fifteen seconds.” Another read the name of his wife that he lost, and looked at the crowd asking, “When will peace finally come?”
Another school year has come and my kids are one year closer to graduating. My high school reunion, 25th, just occurred. I look at everyone and remember them as seniors, but truthfully we are forty somethings with families. Time isn’t slowing down and never will. Cherish days, make memories, say “I love you” more often, and ask yourself, “If this was my last day on earth, where would I go?”
The Bible doesn’t answer all of our questions about heaven and life after death, but we do know that Jesus himself wants us there. On the cross while he was waiting to die, the two other men hanging on either side of him had differing views. Once yelled at him to prove that he was the Messiah and to save them all. But the other criminal reacted with “Don’t you fear God since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But his man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Then Jesus answered him and said “Truly I tell , today you will be with me in paradise.”( Luke 23:39-43 NIV)
There’s comfort in knowing that we will see our loved ones again someday. The families this morning at the 9-11 memorial service echoed that sentiment repeatedly. But don’t forget to acknowledge who Jesus is just like the criminal hanging there. Don’t put off accepting Him…there might not be a tomorrow.
Reading and watching the recent world events would make anyone sad and troubled. Mass shootings, earthquakes, violent protests among many other negative occurrences, are enough to cause worry and dread. I watched television pundits yell at each other today over gun laws, read opinion pieces on terrorism, and finally had enough of the ranting and raving and turned it all off. Seems like the only safe and happy channel to watch right now is the Hallmark Channel and its sappy, Christmas love movies.
Cypress Mom 