On the eve of 9/11 my mind is wondering what tomorrow will bring for people who wake up to horrific memories. As I upload this photo and wait to start spewing my thoughts, Jason Gray’s song Love Will Have the Final Say comes on Songza. This idea that Love wins is also a theme that arose for parents after the Newtown shootings. I am carried by the hope that Love will have the final word rings true for me. We are not meant to be children of the Darkness. God calls us to stand in the Light, even in the impossible moments. Grace will be poured out, even when we cannot fathom it.

I am sure that the survivors and witnesses of 9/11 continue to struggle with what happened that morning. The images are seared into their souls. Watching it on television was unbelievable; being there in person must have been surreal. The truth for me is that we cannot be shaken by what comes in the morning or in the dark. I have lived through some pretty traumatic events and there will be more to come but I deliberately choose to hold fast to the presence of Joy, Grace, and Love. Those have the final word for me. These win for me. The darkness leaves its mark on me for sure, but these will transform it into the Holy. The scarred becomes the Sacred.

The journey is not an easy one, nor is it a simplistic one. I do not believe for a moment that you get to the solid foundation by avoiding the pain. Going into the suffering and coming out the other side is key to healing and transformation. I am thinking of those families from that terrible morning tonight and lifting them in prayer. I am also remembering those right at this moment who are suffering from acts of terrorism around our globe. May Grace and Love win for them too. The final word must go the Light who alone knows how the story ends.

Peace,

Suzanne