By John Warren

Think back to September 11, 2001.

I’m sure you remember where you were when you heard the news.  Some of you may have been in New York City when the World Trade Center fell.   You may have lost a loved one that day.  It was a horrific day.

I lived in the tiny town of Jewett, Texas.  It was so small it didn’t have a Dairy Queen or even a traffic light.  I remember the night of September 11, 2001.  I lay awake jumping every time a freight train came through town bumping cars and blowing horns going east and west and north and south.  I felt confused and bitter.  I felt angry.  I felt overcome with grief.  It is easy to know who to cast your anger upon, them!  The enemy.

Last fall we were nearly drowned by the floods of Hurricane Harvey.  Have you ever wondered why we name hurricanes?  Why don’t we just number them 1-2017 or 2-2017?  We apply a name.

I think it is easier to deal with a name; we can attach blame and vent.  It helps in the healing process.

Some people make that shift early, others it takes longer and still some do not make the shift at all.

The event in question becomes a turning point in our lives or we get stuck in the victim mode.  I am grieving the loss of a dear sweet lady that I think was caught up in the grief of Harvey.

It is a tragedy until I remember that this is not all there is to life and the greater portion is yet to come.  We are so accustomed to thinking of this world, this life, this home, these possession and forget that the treasures of this world are only rust compared to what God has in store for us in those homes not made with hands but eternal in the heavens!

So where does this turning point for us come when we move from victim to victorious?

For Bryan it happened just last week as he spoke at his Dad’s memorial service when he talked about having a broken heart.

And he said this, “I don’t understand how I can have a broken heart, and at the same time feel such peace and love from God.”

Many have been moved by the love of others after the flood.  Broken hearted at the loss and chaos brought to our lives while at the same time in awe of the love brought to us from others.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; I will fear no evil for you are with me.”  Psalm 23