Where were you?

Where were you on that day?  I was standing in the living room of my parents' home.  My aunt had called and told us to turn on the TV, and there it was.  I could not believe what I was seeing.  We were still reeling from my brother's death just a few days before--our lives would never be the same--and now, suddenly, our personal grief had been shockingly and irreversibly overlaid by and intermingled with the grief of our nation, and the personal grief of so many who lost loved ones that day.

The other day, I heard the audio clip found here on the radio.  It's probably a good thing I was alone in the car, because it moved me to tears--I almost had to pull over.  I've included the text below, but you really should listen--it gives me goosebumps.

I believe that God's heart breaks for us when we endure tragedies and hardships, and God is there extending his grace and mercy even in our darkest moments.  Yesterday, today, tomorrow.  Even on that day.  As Christ followers we are assured of the hope that God will meet us, and indeed carry us, in the stairwells of our need.

Meet Me in the Stairwell
by Stacey Randall

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news on September 11, 2001.

Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say 'Good-Bye.'
I held his fingers steady as he dialed.  I gave him the peace to say, Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK...I am ready to go.

I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn't coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. 'I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!' I said. 'Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.'

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls.  I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan.  I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news.  Did you sense Me?

I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though not all knew Me. Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.  Some sought Me with their last breath.

Some couldn't hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; 'Come to Me... this way... take my hand.' Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.

I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?

September 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well.

Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are 'ready to go.'

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.

~God~