SEPTEMBER TESTIMONY.....TWO YEARS LATER.

[Guest guest]

September 11th Testimony....two years later....

On September 11th 2003, a man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to

share his testimony about what happened to his family on September 11th, 2001.

The callers name is s, and these are his words.

A few weeks before Sept 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our

first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our

way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be

with her. Shortly after I said 'amen' we both heard a loud pop and the car

shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I placed the tire as quickly as I

could, but we still missed her flight.

Both very upset, we drove home.

Shortly after returning home, I then received a call from my father who was

retired FDNY. He asked what my wife's flight number was. I told him, but

explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was

the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My

father also had more news for me; he was going to help. " This is not something I

can just sit by for, I have to do something, " he said. I was concerned for his

safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ.

After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the

phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I

ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort. My joy

that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger;

anger at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly 2 years now,

blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather,

my father had never accepted Christ, and never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About 2 months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife

and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could

tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small

child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake s. I

told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to

meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.' He explained to me that

his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after

the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained

that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up

with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He

then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'

His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him

and lead him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get

to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this

family would be able to thank him themselves. When their baby boy was born,

they named him in honor of the man who gave his life so mother and

baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things: First, that though it has been

two years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.

And second, but most important, God is always in control. We may not see the

reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is

ALWAYS in control.

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~ " We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a

little of each other everywhere. " ~

~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "