A Day Like No Other

The day began like any other. The sky was a bright blue. We had eaten breakfast. I had just driven my nephew to pre-school. I was getting into my routine for the day. Everything seemed so normal. But then it happened. The news came over our radios and televisions. Quickly our beautiful normal day became a day of confusion, terror, chaos, fear, death. It became a day like no other. 

I remember quickly driving home to my wife; I was so glad to see her.  Later that day I was overjoyed to hug my kids—hugging them in a way I had never hugged them before. After having the phones go down for a period of time, it was a relief to be able to talk to my parents and grandmother on the phone. Not everyone was so fortunate to be able to see their spouse, hug their child, or talk to their parent.   It was a day like no other. 

We all have our memories of what we now simply call 9-11.  It was a day that changed our perception of our world. It was a day that changed the way we live our lives. It was a day that, for many of us, has left a penetrating mark on our minds.  We would all agree it was a day like no other. 

Here we are so many years later.  Life has gone back to what we might call the “new normal.”  We live our lives day to day, going through our routines of home, work, school, etc.  Yet, in the back of our minds there is a sense that life is not the same as it once was—at least not for those of us who are old enough to feel that way. Those who were born into our post-9-11 world may not realize it, but that one day changed so much about us and how we live.  Yes, it was a day like no other.

On the other hand, I have had to remind myself, there is one thing that has not changed; one thing that, that day could not change; there is one thing that no event in this world can ever change. Nothing in this life can ever change the love of God for us and for the people of our world.  God’s love could not be extinguished by terror. God’s love could not be destroyed by hate. Nor, can it ever be. 

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 – NIV) 

As we recall that day that was like no other, I pray that we will as well rest in the fact that, no matter what may happen in our world, the love of God always remains the same.

Have a great day! 

Pastor Tim Harris

The Love of God by Fredrick M. Lehman

Verse 1:

The love of God is greater far

Than tongue or pen can ever tell;

It goes beyond the highest star,

And reaches to the lowest hell;

The guilty pair, bowed down with care,

God gave His Son to win;

His erring child He reconciled,

And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!

How measureless and strong!

It shall forevermore endure—

The saints’ and angels’ song.

Verse 2:

When hoary time shall pass away,

And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,

When men who here refuse to pray,

On rocks and hills and mountains call,

God’s love so sure, shall still endure,

All measureless and strong;

Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—

The saints’ and angels’ song.