Even all these years later, it is hard to put into words the horror and devastation that occurred on September 11th. It is one of those days that always feels as if it just happened. It was a day that changed so many lives forever. A day in our history that will never be forgotten.
You may have a personal connection to that day or you may have your own life changing day. We all have them. Some more than others. Days that we can’t believe happened and we wish would have never come. Days we wish we could take back, those we wish we could forget. Days that try to pull us into darkness.
These moments, these days, these events bring fear, sadness, and despair into our heart. These days want to pull us in the dark and leave us in the dark. But do not lose heart, they can also teach us and remind us.
The thing about the darkness is . . . that is where we can best see the light.
And He is our Light.
We may go through horrible circumstances. We may endure unspeakable heartache. That is real life. Being scared and hurt are real feelings. No matter how devastated we are. No matter how hopeless we may feel. We can’t let the darkness win.
When life seems to be at its darkest, know there is hope. His Light will always shine out of the darkness. We know darkness will not overcome the Light. Christ rising from the dead has shown us that.
He knows your heartache and suffering and your pain. He is a God of mercy and love in the midst of the hurt. You do not have to carry it alone. Even though we may not understand it, He will give us the strength we need to endure the difficult times.
He will be the Light we see to know we are not alone.
He will be the Light we need to find our way out of the darkness.
If you carry difficult times in your heart or for the difficult times that will come, I hope you are comforted with the truth that He is your Light in the dark hours. He is your refuge and your strength. He will lift you up. He will guide your way and He will not leave your side.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)
We will not forget what happened on this day in our history. We will also not forget our Light in the darkness.
Remember there is hope through all the bad. Our Light is always there.
A note from (in)courage: We love, cherish and believe in the power of story. We believe that by sharing our stories with each other, God can bring healing, peace, joy, and deeper connections in our friendships. It is in this spirit that we invite you to share your story of the way 9/11 impacted your life. Where you were when you heard the news, if you lost a loved one, and/or the ways in which your heart was changed by these events. You are invited to leave your story in the comments today, and to lift up other sisters in prayer.
Leave a Comment
Judith Isaacs says
9-11 was a day I will never forget. So very much destruction and loss of so very many lives. That was a day we all will remember for as long as we live.
Mwihaki says
Yes, God’s light still SHINES. I love this “He will be the Light we need to find our way out of the darkness”.
I live in Nairobi . We have had our share of “darkness”. However Jesus Christ has BEEN ,IS and Will continue being our LIGHT out of all kinds of darkness.
Thanks Jennifer for this inspiring message.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Has been, is and will… yes, exactly, Mwihaki! Praying for Nairobi.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Couldn’t agree more, Judith.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Jennifer,
God continues to be our light in the darkness. My mom and cousins in Florida came through the hurricane intact, but with no power. Candles, flashlights, and lanterns provided their source of light and hope through a very scary night. Even in the worst of times, like 9/11, God’s light still shines and light will always overcome the darkness.
Blessings and praise,
Bev xx
Jennifer Studio JRU says
So grateful to hear you family is okay, Bev!
Beth Williams says
Bev,
Glad to hear your family is ok. So much devastation down there. God can & will take care of us.
Blessings 🙂
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Beth,
Today is National Encouragement Day….I just want to say “Thank you” for ALL the encouragement you offer to me ALL the time. You have a wonderfully kind and caring heart and I just wanted to say “Thank you” from the bottom of mine 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xo
Michele Morin says
It’s so good for us to remember that day — we have a tendency to move on and forget the lessons from the past and the resolve found in hard times. Praying today for survivors of 9/11 and for those impacted by recent hurricanes.
I find that my heart becomes numb to the volume of tragedy around us.
Thank you, Jennifer, for reminding us of the true Light.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
I hear you, Michele. There is just so much tragedy. Grateful for the Light through all of it.
Sharon says
You are right.. our Light in the darkness! I have lived through that day in my mind more then I wanted to. We lived across the river from ground zero in NJ . Born & raised there and this bayshore town watched it smoke and smell for weeks.. God drew people of every type to the local churches and to my calvery chapel church especially where one friend never returned from the towers. Over 110 families in our surrounding towns never saw their precious spouse or child again.. my friends husband was found clasped hands and arms of about 12-16 people in a circle. Al was called the “rev” at work always pointing people to Jesus in his daily duties , therefore these people clung to his faith as they were together found 3 days later all in one place together under the rubble. Our church worked in a church near ground zero about a year serving firefighters and police.. 3 meals a day.. and I can pray still for those same faces today.. God is the same today as yesterday & although our lives have changed with deeper love and understanding for Gods will,I can only continue to point people to our Almighty God in their storms of life. My friend has also joined her husband in heaven recently and one day we too will be praising Jesus holding hands & rejoicing together.. blessings to all who still suffer yet have the light of Jesus every day!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Thank you for sharing such an intimate story of that day, Sharon. Thank you for serving right there where and when it was needed… I know you all were His hands during that time. And I am so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Joining you in prayer for those who are suffering.
Edna Davidsen says
Hi Jennifer,
Our Light in the Darkness brought me back to what I felt that day on September 11th, 2001.
It’s an example of how quick life can change to something out of our control.
It’s, as you say, “A day in our history that will never be forgotten.”
I like your point about not letting us be pulled into the shadow of darkness from these events.
It’s not God’s intention for our lives to live in fear and darkness.
We can learn and be reminded of these events.
My favourite takeaway from your blog post was the line: We can’t let the darkness win.
It’s an active choice I need to take daily to chose the light.
His light will always shine out the darkness if we let Him lead us.
I’ll share Monday, September 25.
I’m looking forward to your next blog post.
Edna Davidsen
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Thank you, Edna. I like how you pointed out that it is an active choice to chose the light!
Dana says
On Sept. 11, 2001 I was at home with our 5 year old daughter & 2 year old son. I first heard the news on TV as it was happening. I called my husband to let him know that 2 planes hit the World Trade Center in NY. He worked in Philly at a stock exchange company. He told me he was too busy to basically not bother him right then. I knelt in prayer as I ask the Lord if this was the start of the end of times. I proceeded with my day. Took my children to the dentist. It was around 10 or 10:30 when I arrived there. I was the only one on the highways & at the dental office. A 3rd plane had hit D.C. The dentist said he would cancel a trip he had planned for out of the country next week. I said all the papers lost floating from the falling towers was more than I could understand in that moment. He said everything is computer backed up. I knew from my husband work it was not and wondered if we would all live through the day or if I would see my husband again. Returning home from the dentist, a 4th plane hit in Pa. At this point, I prayed out loud for my children’s future to be protected by the Lord, for the ones whose life’s would never ever be the same. I cried & asked God to bring repentance to many. My husband by this point was released from work & sent home as were all the neighbors on our street. It was a day of seeking the Lord with questions and seeing how very frail we are. I also remember Lamentations 3:32 &33 For if He causes grief, Then He will have compassion according toHis abundant loving kindness. For He does not afflict willingly or grieve the sins of man from His heart.
Dana says
Lamentations 3:33 says ” For He does not affect willingly or grieve the sons of man from His heart.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Amazing how we can all remember so vividly. So many details. Etched in our hearts and minds forever. I joined you that day in praying for the ones whose life’s would never ever be the same. Thank you for sharing your memories of that day, Dana, and thank you for sharing that beautiful scripture.
Brenda says
So you, Jesus, for being the Light that defies every darkness. Lifting prayers again today for the families directly impacted by 9/11. (( <3 )) — I was pregnant with my youngest and had just dropped off my six year old at school and my 3 year off at his very first day of preschool. Strangely, one of the things that stands out in my mind was how quiet the skies were. I don't remember how many days all the flights were grounded, but I remember the eerie stillness of the atmosphere. Such a sad day in history. :'(
Brenda says
That’s supposed to say “Thank you, Jesus…” — not sure what happened. 😀
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Yes, Brenda, I do remember that as well. Such an eerie stillness. Joining you in prayer today.
Rebecca Jones says
I remember where I was that day and wondered why people were picking up their children early, but U didn’t hear about the towers until after 3. Someone should have told me, I guess even the people in Atlanta were running scared.
Jennifer Studio JRU says
Seems people were scared no matter where they lived that day, Rebecca.
Jenny says
Taking a walk around our little rural Missouri neighborhood with my three year old and expecting my second in Feb. We were hosting YL club at our small rental home with middle and high school kids. As I passed by the daycare neighbors house, she hollered from the playground…”Have you heard???” She told me the horrific and heartbroken news. I rushed home in disbelief…thinking – in this moment destruction and evil have robbed humanity from the joys of freedom and replaced it with fear. Just states away. All I could think about was bringing another child into a broken land, but the students that night helped to usher in a peace and a hope for what God ahead for all of us.
Sharon says
Wow Jenny! What amazes me are the kids you have now are 19 & 16? The same age those sweet kids were that ministered to your sweet mama spirit that night:) isn’t God beautiful and children doing transformation of our mind! His will is always good, pleasing, & perfect… not easy.. even Jesus was in the center of His will and suffered. Just keep on keeping on for Him!
Jennifer Studio JRU says
A wonderful thing to witness students showing a hope for what God had ahead, Jenny. That had to be a beautiful thing to see on such a day. And a beautiful reminder.
Beth Williams says
Jennifer,
God has been a light for me for the last four years. I’ve had many turbulent days dealing with my aging dad & his medical issues. He helped me overcome a huge darkness in 2016 & allowed me to witness a miracle. I know He will be a light to many in the path of Harvey & Irma. We must remember that when storms & darkness come He is our light. We can go to Him in prayer & ask for the light to continue shining.
Blessings 🙂
Jennifer Studio JRU says
With the words you leave in this community, we have all seen how God has been your light through your seasons, Beth. It has been a honor and encouragement to see. Thank you.