Tag: Tragedy

Where Were You?

Leave a comment

September11-Flag

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 14 years since tragedy struck our nation. The image of the planes hitting the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon is so devastatingly ingrained in our minds, that it seems like all someone has to do is say “9/11” and the image is there in our minds, hitting us all over again. It was such a heartbreaking, cowardly act, and truthfully, there are no words to really encompass the kind of evil that took place that day.

I remember, just like you probably do, exactly where I was when the attacks took place. I was sitting at my desk in Mr. Collette’s 4th grade class at Calvary Christian School when another teacher came by our room, interrupting him, asking him if they could have a word with him in the hallway. He was in the hallway for what seemed like an eternity in my 4th grade mind, but despite the absence of our teacher, the classroom was eerily silent. It was almost as if we could sense that something was wrong. When he finally came back into our room, his face was ghostly and he was pushing a cart with a TV strapped to the top. He said, “America has been attacked, and this is something you all need to see.”

That was the first time I saw the planes crash into the buildings. I saw it another thousand times or so before the day was over, and even more in the weeks and months to come, but I’ll never forget the first time. I had so many questions, but even in my young heart, I could feel the hurt of our nation.

My Mom picked me up early from school that day, much like many of my classmate’s parents did, and we went to a prayer meeting at the old Charlotte Colosseum led by Pat McCrory. We mourned the loss of precious lives together with complete strangers, unified by our love for our country.

Where were you? Are there any specific ways that I can pray for you? Do you know survivors or families of the victims? I would love to know your stories and pray for you.

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

Beauty out of Brokenness

Leave a comment

20093_10207180499696483_9150357310242393209_n

I remember the first time I stepped foot inside Bethlehem Baptist. It’s resemblance to the church I grew up in was striking, the sun streaked through the stained glass that crisp, Fall morning, and I heard my at-the-time-boyfriend, now husband make that beautiful grand piano dance in a way you have to experience to truly understand. At that time, I had no idea I would be marrying that tall, charming boy there four years later, walking down that isle by candlelight dressed in white. No, I didn’t grow up at Bethlehem, I didn’t get baptized there, and I don’t know every one of its precious members by name, but it does have a very special place in my heart, it’s where I became one with the man God chose just for me. It’s in pieces now, just like the stained glass that we cherish so deeply, but I’m confident that Jesus is going to do amazing things through this tragedy, and make beauty out of this brokenness.