Fear Thou Not

My children do not understand how I feel about this day. They did not live through it. They were not here with me when I saw those towers fall 22 years ago. So, they listen respectfully when I talk about where I was and what I was doing, but they are quick to move on.

This makes me wonder what did I listen respectfully to and then move on, because I wasn’t there?

My mamaw used to tell a story about a neighbor whose baby died of SIDS. Of course, they didn’t call it SIDS back then. The poor woman was asleep with the baby next to her in bed, and she accidentally rolled on it. Mamaw would say, “She heard her husband as he got the fire going, told him bye, and then went back to sleep. When she woke up, her baby was dead.”

I remember thinking how awful that was, then I moved on. I wasn’t there. But, my mamaw was there, and the incident sadden her greatly.

When talking about his childhood, my papaw likes to say, “Back then, there was no Walmart to run to. The women got what they needed from the garden or did without.”

He and Mamaw grew up in coal towns here in WV. I love to hear their stories, but I can’t feel the same, because I was not there to experience it. I wish I had been more attentive.

The Bible verse I read this morning was rather appropriate for today. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10 KJV).

When I realized it was 9/11, the fear I felt back then began to creep in. Then, I remembered that verse. I don’t have to be afraid, because God is with me. He is with me, because I asked Him into my heart.

My prayer is that you have asked Him into your heart, as well.

Shalom.