9-11-20

Today is 9/11. A day that will forever conjure images of airplanes crashing into the World Trade Towers, of them crumbling like sand castles hit by a wave. People covered in dust and ash running, scared and confused, vulnerable, under attack.

The day began with such beauty. The sky was a deep blue, the sun shone brightly. It is hard to comprehend the devastating ugliness that wiped out that perfect late summer morning. And yet, there it was. Hate. Which sadly, still exists even on the most beautiful days.

But other things also exist on beautifully ugly days. Compassion, service, loyalty, unselfishness, kindness, faith, hope, love. The best of our human nature, the parts of us that wipe away the ugly tears, restore the beauty of the day.

We each have choices every single day. That is the greatest gift God has given us. Choice. Free will. To be the best version of what we’ve been created for. Or not. And no matter our circumstance, the day we wake up to, sunny or grey, we choose.

Today, I remember the fear and profound sadness, smoldering in the destruction. But I also remember the grace that rose from compassion, unity and endless acts of selfless service to others, strangers. I remember the spontaneous gathering at my church with my children that evening. People of faith drawing together to comfort one another, praying with one another, lighting candles, trusting together that some how, some way God was in the midst of the chaos.

God is always in the midst of chaos, ever present, ever loving, even when Presence seems impossible. God weeps with us, embraces us and never stops loving us, even on our most ugly beautiful days.

Today, I choose resurrection over destruction, faith over fear, compassion over anger. I choose peace for today, hope for tomorrow, love above all. Amen.

In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions, and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.

Anne Frank