A True story....
A man from Norfolk VA, called a local radio
station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES
OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to
have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her
sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my
wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both
heard a loud pop and the car shook violently.. We had blown out a tire. I
replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her
flight.. both very upset, we drove home..
I received a call from my
father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was,
but I explained that we missed the flight.
My father informed me
that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was
too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going
to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do
something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more
because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I
knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said,
'take good care of my grandchild. Those were the last words I ever
heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.
My
joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly
became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had
gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son
would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ,
and I never got to say good-bye.
Then something happened. About two
months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there
was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she
wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small
child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake
Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I
never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his
son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World
Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was
pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my
father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled
up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like
this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.'
His
wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to
him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.
Now I know
that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to
welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves
..
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in
honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.
We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the
impact it may have on someone... God doesn't call the qualified, He
qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures Forever. Psalm 136:1
The HiV of Western Culture
4 years ago
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