The World Trade Center Disaster

September Blog
Remembering the World Trade Centers
My thoughts today are like so many others
on what happened eight years ago today.
Those of us who are old enough,
remember exactly where we were
when we heard of President Kennedy
being shot.
9/11 is like that.
I remember where I was when the pictures
began to be flashed on the television screen.
This sparks several days of memories of
exactly where I was and what I was doing.
So many of our days go by with few tacks
to jog a memory.
What have we learned? How have I changed?
Bible verses that had no close ties to my
peaceful life, now seem more relevant.
Anyone or anything out of the ordinary
when I am in public places are
more likely to grab my attention.
Many heroes emerged along with
the handful of villains on that day.
I pend a short story after hearing
and reading of one group of those heroes
I titled it "Marvelous Miracle".
I include this story today and hope
it will be an encouragement that even
in the most desperate of times, we are
not alone.
Marvelous Miracle
The date was 9/11
As the horrific scene unfolded
on the nation's television screens
a simple prayer was whispered
by one descending from the
inferno as they passed
firefighters selflessly climbing
into the chaos
Order their steps
Lord Jesus
Her day at the Trade Center
had begun like any other
nothing out of the ordinary
Then the noise
and all around her was shaken
Fear tried to grip her belly
It was clear that the steps
the long descent to safety
must begin
The thought of going down
one flight of stairs
on her old knees
an hour ago
seemed an impossible chore
Now 81 flights of stairs
loomed ahead
Nothing to be said
but to begin
After 35 flights it was clear
that she could go no further
One step had become two
until all strength was gone
Then she saw them
huffing and puffing
up and around
the winding rows of steps
They were younger than
her fifty-nine years
Their eyes showed
that they knew the danger
of staying one minute
too long
As the walls began to crack
and vibrate
the blueprints were clear
The heat was too intense
Zealots hatred
had penetrated too deep
The walls would soon
come crashing down
The magnificent edifice
which had seemed so permanent
now felt paper thin
With time running out
they would take her with them
An escort that had intended
to ascend into hell itself
now wisely settled
on the rescue of one soul
This decision would allow
a chance to respond
at other times
to disasters more familiar
less diabolical
and helplessly absurd
She took strength from them
The descent continued
until so close to the light of day
her last resolve was depleted
She had to stop
There were seven
of these men of honor with her
Their steps as clear to God
as any sparrows
Then with a sound atomic pitched
the walls came down
Tons and tons of the center
of world trade and finance
falling
falling into the pit
Left standing
where thousands lay crushed
were seven men and one woman
Nesled in the swirling
choking dust
on a life raft of stairs
and one landing
The steps of a righteous man
are ordered by the Lord
Though a thousand may fall
at your right hand
He puts His Angels
in charge over you
Jehovah-jireh cares for you.