Peace...

Kevin is the hardest person I know to buy gifts for! It has been a long standing joke for years, when you ask him what he wants for Christmas or his Birthday, he replies..."World Peace!" We laugh, knowing that he is joking, but what a blessing and wonderful gift that would be! In reality, it is only a dream. A dream that became substantially more distant on September 11, 2001.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing, when I heard that the first plane had hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The despair and horror remains so vivid in my mind, as I spent the entire day, entranced, watching the events unfold on TV.

Fifteen months later, I had the opportunity, on my first trip to NYC, to visit Ground Zero. I can't begin to adequately describe what I felt that day, standing on the sidewalk, looking down into that enormous crater, so deep and large, that the giant excavators, dump trucks, and other heavy equipment took on the appearance of tiny match box cars!

Ironically, the sculpture below, entitled "The Sphere," was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig, as a symbol of world peace. For three decades, it stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center until it was damaged by the tragic events of September 11. Airplane parts pierced the steel and bronze shell of the 45,000 pounds structure.

Today, "The Sphere" has a new home. (See picture below...) It rests in Battery Park, with a plaque that reads, "...(The Sphere) endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of this country. 'The Sphere' was placed here on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. The eternal flame (part of the memorial), was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of all those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten."

Our hotel, during our stay in NYC, was right around the corner from Engine 54 Ladder 4 ~ 9th Battalion. We talked with the firefighters outside the station several times in passing. This particular station lost many members, and the ones left behind could not talk about 9/11 in any great length or detail. The pain was still too fresh, and evident in their faces! My heart just broke for those men.

At times it is hard not to question why and how such tragic events can be allowed to happen. But, as believers we have the assurance that this earth is only temporary. Our home in Heaven will be a place of "No More Night, No more pain, No more tears, Never crying again!" ...no more terrorism, no more war, no more disease, no more death....All things will be new and perfect, there! I'd like to share the song by David Phelps, "No More Night......"

{I encourage you to Youtube the Song, it is an overwhelmingly passionate and beautiful song!}


No More Night
The timeless theme, earth and heaven will pass away.
It’s not a dream, God will make all things new that day.
Gone is the curse from which I stumbled and fell.
Evil is banished to eternal hell.
No more night. No more pain.No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
See all around, now the nations bow down to sing.
The only sound is the praises to Christ, our King.
Slowly the names from the book are read.
I know the King, so there’s no need to dread.
No more night. No more pain. No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
See over there, there’s a mansion,
oh that’s prepared just for me,
where I will live with my savior eternally.
No more night. No more pain. No more tears.
Never crying again.
And praises to the great "I AM."
We will live in the light of the risen Lamb.
All praises to the great "I AM."
We’re gonna live in the light of the risen Lamb.

Peace I leave with you; peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

We will likely never see peace on this earth as we know it. But God gives us hope, and promise of peace and life everlasting, forevermore, in our Heavenly home with Him!

What a glorious day that will be!
May God Bless those who lost loved ones, friends, and family members on 9/11! ~Rhonda