No one will ever forget where they were 
when they heard the news.
Neither will I.

I was there in that building on the 110th floor in a smoke
filled room with a man who called his wife to say goodbye.  
I held his fingers steady as he dialed.  I gave him the peace
and strength to say, "I am not going to make it, but Honey,
it's OK.......I am ready to go."  I was with his wife, holding
her up as she tried to understand his words and as she
realized that he was never coming home.  
He's in my hands now.

I was in the hearts of the rescue workers who ran in, even 
as others were running out, giving them compassion and
bravery to help those who could not make it on their own.  
I was with them as the building began to topple, holding 
out my hand and giving them peace and grace as they
sacrificed their own lives for the lives of others.
They are in my hands now.
 
I was with two men on the 70th floor, giving them the
strength to carry a wheel-chair bound woman to safety.  
I was on the 31st floor with two best friends.  One refused
to leave the other, who was bound by his wheelchair and 
could not get out.  I was with their families as they phoned
them, helping each one to understand that there is no greater
love than to lay down your life for a friend.
Those friends are in my hands now.
 
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor as a woman cried out
to me for help.  I had been knocking on the door of her heart
for 50 years.  I said, "Of course I will show you the way
home---only believe in me now."  She is in my hands now.

I was in a control tower, stalling the lift off of a plane,
giving those passengers time to react and a strength that
they did not even know they possessed.   They felt my peace 
come over them even as they spoke to loved ones on the phone
and realized what was happening.  I gave them courage as
they recited a prayer together and then calmly thwarted 
the enemies plans, thus saving the lives of untold thousands.  
I was on four planes, in every seat, with every prayer.  
I was with the crews as they were overtaken.  I was in 
the very hearts of believers there, comforting and 
assuring them that their faith had saved them.
They are in my hands now.

I was in every state and in every country.  
I was even standing next to you as you heard 
the terrible news.  Did you sense my presence?
I saw every face.  I saw every tear.  Did you see mine?
 I knew every name - though they did not all know me.  
Some met me for the first time on that day.  
Some sought me out in their last breath.  
They are in my hands now.

I am standing right beside each of you now.  
To hold you in my loving arms and give you comfort.   
I am in the hearts of the blood donors, the friend who 
is comforting someone even when they don't know what 
to say.  I am in the neighbor who is waving the star 
spangled banner.  I am in the hearts of the men and 
women who are looking at thousands of tons of rubble 
and still seeing the opportunity to find survivors.  
I am in the strangers who are reaching out to help 
their fellow man.  I am with the leaders who are seeking 
my guidance and counsel in prayer.  I will be right beside 
the thousands of military men and women who are being 
called to serve.  I am with them on the home front, 
and I am with them across the ocean.  
I am here to give you strength as you face 
tomorrow and unite together to stop the hate.  
Give me your burdens. 
You can put it all in my hands.

You were not in harms way on that day.  
You may not know why, but I do.  If you had been there 
in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached 
out to me?  Some did not hear me calling them through the
smoke and the flames, "Come to me......it's not too late......
this way......just take my hand."  Some chose, 
for the final time, to ignore me........but I was there.  
September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you.  
But someday your journey will end.
And I will be there for you as well.  
Seek me now while I may be found.  Then, at any moment, 
you will know that you are 'ready to go'.  
You will know that the best is yet to come.  
You will know that you are in my hands now.

I am your refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
God
Psalms 46:1