One Thousand Gifts II

This week I'm remembering all of the heroic acts of Americans on 9/11.  There are so many stories of the goodness of men and women who risked their lives to save and assist others that day.  Some say, "Where was God that day?"  But I say He was there, in the hearts of the people, in thier selfless acts.  He was there holding up those towers while many escaped.  I'm thankful that Americans came together that day, turned to God and loved each other.  To comemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11, I'm going to take my son and go visit our local fire stations and uniform police divisions and let them know how grateful we are for there service.  It is a gift for which I'm thankful!

21.  The way my dogs greet me when I come home.
22.  The owl in the back yard that "hoots" me to sleep at night.
23.  A pastor who teaches me things that I can actually live by.
24.  My husband helping me paint all my old kitchen furniture, making it look brand new again.
25.  My 15 year old son telling me that he loves me every time he leaves the house and in between.
26.  My Nikon D7000
27.  A night spent laughing with girlfriends.
28.  My wonderful neighbors.
29.  Having a car that gets me there.
30.  Getting a phone call from an old friend.
31.  The cool crisp air that's moving in and wearing hoodie sweatshirts.
32.  Taking daytrips around the state with my husband and son.
33.  A beautiful flower arrangement made by my sister in law.
34.  Having my doctor figure out why I wasn't sleeping.
35.  Having a beautiful peaceful bedroom where I can sit and read for hours.
36.  My praise & worship music.
37.  Having Godly parents who loved each other more than life.
38.  Having photo editing software that does for my photos what I cannot do.
39.  Finding just what I was looking for at the flea market.
40.  Learning not to gripe by wearing my Gripes Be Gone bracelet from Linda Dillow.

I love being a part of Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts.  We are all keeping track and you can find a whole community of thankful people there.  I have only gotten through 40 now, so I have a long way to go, but oh, the joy of living a grateful life!



From His Lap,

Where Were You?

I had trouble falling asleep last night, so I turned on the TV.  I switched from channel to channel, watching all of the 9/11 ten year anniversary specials that were on.  It brought back such a flood of memories for me.  I remember exactly where I was at the instant it happened.

I had gotten the kids off to school and was watching one of the morning shows.  When the first plane hit, I was a little shocked, but thought is was probably some little plane with a student pilot or something.  As they were reporting, I watched in horror as the jetliner cut through the second World Trade Center Tower.  I knew instantly, this was no accident and that something was horribly wrong.

Next came the reports about the Pentagon and the plane crashing in Pennsylvania, about 90 miles from my parents' home.  I knew that my cousin worked in the World Trade Center.  No one was able to reach him by phone.  I found out later that it was his kid's first day of school and he stayed home later than usual to see them off and then caught a later ride to Manhattan.  Had he left at his usual time, he would have been in the buildings when they were struck.

As I stood inches from my TV, watching in horror, I wrapped my arms around my waist, doubled over, and just screamed, "God, no!!"  Somehow, instinctively, I knew nothing would ever be the same.  I needed to know that God was in control, on His throne and would deliver us from this evil.  I played Nicole C Mullen's song, My Redeemer Lives, about ten times as I wept on my knees right there in my living room.  You can click on the link to hear her song and here are the some of the lyrics from that song that ministered to me in those moments:

"Who told the sun where to stand in the morning?  Who told the ocean you can only come this far?  And who showed the moon where to hide til evening?  Whose words alone can catch a falling star?"
"Well I know my redeemer lives.  I know my redeemer lives.  Let all of creation testify. Let this life within me cry, 'I know my redeemer lives.'"
"The very same God that spins things in orbit runs to the weary, the worn and the weak.  And the same gentle hands that hold me when I'm broken - they conquered death to bring me victory."
"I know my redeemer lives.  Because He lives, I can face tomorrow."

After the Lord ministered to me through prayer and that song, I got in my car and drove to each of my children's school, picked them up and brought them home.  I wasn't in fear that something was going to happen in Oklahoma where we live.  I just needed to be near them.

9/11 changed so many things...for the world, this country, families...   My brother became a police officer because of 9/11.  My husband and brother both went to Louisiana for 18 months to help with restoration after Hurricane Katrina because of 9/11.  Do you remember where you were, what you were doing and how you coped with what you saw?  How did it change your life?  Share with us how 9/11 touched you.

From His Lap,