A Gaping Hole?---Hope For the Hurting

By Vickie G. Paver

Thursday, September 27, 2001, was a chilly cloudy day when I stepped out my door to go for my usual walk. Lately, due to all the tragic events of lost lives on 9-11-01 and the multitude of breaking hearts, I've found myself in a melancholy state. I didn't really want to walk and besides it looked like rain, but forward I went! As soon as I walked down our driveway and my feet hit the pavement of the road, it started to sprinkle. Up popped my black and white umbrella as the sprinkles turned to a heavy nasty rain and God brought to my attention that even on rainy days and during melancholy moods His plans for our lives are in motion.

As I continued to walk, I noticed two trees standing tall and straight, right next to each other. One whole side of each tree was completely bare, trimmed away by the electric company. Suddenly the tears ran down my face as I thought of how many people lose things in life, perhaps dreams, health, a spouse or child, or family and friends through an earth-shattering event. These all leave a gaping hole and we are never the same. I cried for those who are suffering now because of 9-11, cried for friends and family who are hurting and I cried for myself as my cheerless mood continued.

Then as I passed by the trees I thought of the other side of each tree, full of multi-colored leaves. Isn't it just like in our lives, we have these "gaping holes" that forever change us, but we go on and as our heartbreaks reach our heavenly Father, He adds touches of color to our lives and we become vibrant and productive in spite of the missing pieces in our hearts and lives. We "still" have memories, but we can't live in past events. We must reach toward the goal as this scripture encourages us to do. Philippians 3: 13, 14, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

God bless you all---as you go forward.

September 7, 2002 (It won't be long before it is September 11th again and the sadness, aching, and heartbreak come again. We as Americans have overcome much. Let us never forget! 

The Day America Cried by Barbara's Entourage

Land of the Free By Barbara's Entourage

Never Forget (Very Moving) By Georgia

Annie's "List of American Patriotic & September 11 Tragedy Pages"

America Returns to God by Misty Taggart

The Tragedy Series (Remembering 9-11) by Peggie