Reflections about 9/11 vary for all of us, depending on where we were, and how it affected us. But after all these years, one constant remains. From my own poetic reflections about 9/11, here is a backward look, as well as a forward look at those events:
If Only We Had Known
By
Rebecca Barlow Jordan
The day began like any other.
Rushing to our work, we paused only briefly to acknowledge the day,
His Lordship, and His throne…
If only we had known.
With short goodbyes and heavy sighs, we walked with quickened pace
to meet the demands of the day.
With resolute “I can’s” we greeted friends and co-workers,
waving as we passed by, before answering ruthless ringing phones…
If only we had known.
Our thoughts were far from the day before—
where hasty dinners or snatches of conversation squeezed a few more minutes from our day.
And some, more fortunate than others, framed a memory:
a long embrace exchanged with children,
intimate moments shared with husband or wife,
while others winced from hostile strife and angry tones spoken much too hurriedly…
If only we had known.
Then quickly, much too quickly, in the blinking of an eye,
our world caved in and darkness fell, and few could tell what happened.
Some crawled out, dazed, confused, bleeding, and needing as never before
a hug, a hand, a smile–
a way to understand what kind of God would let this happen to His own…
If only we had known.
No place to go, no room to hide…
seeking someone in whom we could confide
and cast our whys safely at Heaven’s feet,
searching frantically through the rubble for that last embrace…
that treasured kiss, that last assurance of “I love you. I’ll see you at home…”
If only we had known.
And still we wait.
Yet gathered all around us are new members of our family:
black and white and brown, short and tall, but all
extending hands that say, “I’m here, and I care–”
a tender, whispered prayer, a fervent hope in a future unknown…
If only we had known.
And though they can’t replace the hurts, the searing pain,
the wounds, the ache, the loss of ones so dear…
there is less fear of what tomorrow may bring
when we bond our hearts as friends with each other,
and with the One Who holds the world together.
And in so short a time, our world has grown beyond our confining walls…
If only we had known.
One still, small voice whispers softly each morning:
“You won’t understand…not now…not for a long, long time.”
And we bristle momentarily as our hearts still try to find a way to start again
and not to harbor hate, but wait,
one
day
at a time.
But His voice grows louder:
You could not have known, but there is Someone who did.”
And we cry out, “If it’s true, You knew…
why did You not try harder to stop the evil,
the excruciating pain, the senseless deaths?
Our loved ones lie silent, and the grave has won.”
Or has it?
If only we had known Your pain on the Cross, your suffering, Your agonizing death…
Maybe we would have loved more.
Maybe we would have followed closer.
If only we had known, maybe we would have come sooner.
If only we had known.
But we are not our own;
this world is not our home.
Our lives are just on loan…
If only we had known.
“Hush…” comes a soft and gentle reply.
“You can’t go back, only forward.
But I am here for you.
And I will never leave you.
It’s not too late for some. The fate of others waits for you,
your love, your compassion, your time—
ones you have known who still need a hug,
a whisper of assurance that they are not alone—
those still crying
‘”If only we had known.’”
Every person has been affected some way by that dark September day, and I still hurt for those who lost friends or relatives in that tragedy.
Many of us have our own reflections about 9/11. We’ve all changed, along with our world. But in the absence of answers to our questions, we live in a nation that can still embrace and encourage each other if we will–through the losses and the memories and the questions that will never end.
Even when we feel like our world is falling apart, we have a God who never changes…never…ever. He is the only One who can bring good from bad, or joy from sorrow. And He is the only One we can turn to in times like 9/11, because His faithfulness never ends.
So may we continue to be God’s lights in this world to bring hope and encouragement–at all times. I’m so encouraged when I see so many of you doing just that. Be blessed today!
“He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” James 1:17, NLT.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8, NIV.
It’s Your Turn
What about you? What are your comments, your memories, your reflections about 9/11? I love to hear from readers. You can always write me through my contact page. Just fill out the basic name and address info, and then the email will come to me. Your name or info will never be shared with anyone without your permission.
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