The Blessings of 9/11

September 11 certainly has a lot of sorrow associated with it.

We will never forget the thousands of people killed on 9/11. We will not forget that our country was under attack that day. Who could ever forget the brave members of the New York Fire Department and the New York Police Department who ran into the towers instead of running away from them?

And who can forget the blessings associated with 9/11? The sense of togetherness and patriotism was different than at any time in my life.

We were united as a nation. The examples of the firefighters and so many others gave us tremendous pictures of real heroism for our children. The blessings were immense.

For me 9/11 is always filled with blessings. Many years before 9/11/01 our first child (Anna) was born on September 11. That was an amazing day. Martha’s delivery and the baby’s birth didn’t quite go as planned. Our doctor told us later that if she had been born just a few years later it would’ve been very different. We’ve always been thankful for God’s wonderful blessings.

When Anna was born, we were young and lived two states away from our relatives. A wonderful woman from our church by the name of Des sat with me for the whole day. Since she was the age of our parents, she knew enough to be worried and she worried for both of us! Sometimes, there are real values to being young.

Whatever’s going on in life we can find things for which to be thankful. That’s the way it was with the apostle Paul. In the midst of prison and persecution he gave thanks for God’s good work, knowing that God was at work within his life to do good and to advance his Kingdom.

Every day contains blessings if we will simply look for them. Paul thanked God for the people of Philippi. He was thankful for their love for him and for how God was carrying their salvation out to its completion (Philippians 1:3-6).

He thanked God that even while he was in prison God was at work. Because of Paul’s suffering the whole praetorian guard knew that he was in chains for Christ (Philippians 1:12-14). Many became followers of Christ, and the believers in Rome were encouraged.

The gospel advanced – a military term – because Paul suffered for the sake of the gospel and was faithful to do what God had called him to do.

What will you find to be thankful for today?

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3 Responses

  1. I am thankful for each day the Lord lets me live. I pray for Him to show me how He wants me to use the time I have left on this earth. I am also thankful for our church and for you and Martha and the rest of our church leaders who serve so faithfully.

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