Written By Don Hinst
Just another day, or so we thought. How quickly evil people changed our lives, nation, and the world.
Confusion and disbelief brought us to our knees with emergency prayers.
Stanley Praimnath was working on the 81st floor of the World Trade Center South Tower when he saw an airplane flying directly toward him. Stanley dove under a desk, desperately praying, “Lord, I can’t do this! You take over!”
Brian Clark heard Praimnath’s cry for help. The two men transcended nearly impassible rubble and 80 flights of stairs to be just two of only 18 survivors from the impact zone or higher in the South Tower.
We are not promised to be spared difficult situations. However, we can be assured that our Heavenly Father hears our prayers and will see us through to the end.
After the attacks, the airspace was closed. Planes landed at the closest airports. Grounded planes landed in Gander, Newfoundland. Their arrival with thousands of passengers on board nearly doubled the community’s population. The community of Gander did not hesitate to open their homes, schools, lodges, and churches, converting everything they could into places for the thousands to stay. The frightened passengers were amazed by the generosity of the local people.
Life can be overwhelming on a good day, much less on days when the rubble and debris overwhelm us. All too often, the temptation to give up is real. The situation does not need to be permanent. Once again, confusion and disbelief often bring us to our knees with emergency prayers. This is when faithful perseverance kicks in. Keep hope. Lift up your eyes when you find yourself in unpleasant places, asking your Heavenly Father to give you the strength to persevere another day.
Heavenly Father, our souls may be weighed down. But they’re buoyed with the anticipation of another day that You will bring us peace, generosity, and compassion to share with those along our way.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Don Hinst is the Commander of American Legion Post 108 and Chaplain for American Legion District 15