Saturday, September 12, 2009

The Day After


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 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. The 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: 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

27 comments:

Mari said...

What a wonderful story and testimony of God's plan and faithfulness. This one moved me to tears and I thank you for sharing it!

RCUBEs said...

That's a very powerful testimony of how mysteriously God truly works in our lives. Who would forget especially if lives like these were truly changed forever? This just showed how everything is in God's timing, not ours; how things may seem hard to understand but God knows the outcome before we do. May this tragedy never happen again but it's even more tragic for people to forget the One Who had been there and Who still is, going through our trials with us. Blessings to you sister.

SusanD said...

Thank you so much for sharing this powerful testimony of God's love for us. He demonstrates over and over that He is concerned with that which concerns us. Blessings, SusanD

Edie said...

What an incredible story and testimony of the love of our God. I'm reading incredible testimonies all over this morning. Can't keep the tears out of my eyes. :)

Much love to you Kat!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Thank you for sharing this story.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this testimony!

Denise said...

Wow, such a precious testimony of God's love.

Mich said...

I had heard this story before, but the story holds power every time I read it. We serve an awesome Lord!

Samantha said...

Thank you for sharing this beautiful, touching story.
~ Blessings to you my dear friend !

Kelly said...

I loved this. Thanks!

Sarah said...

Simply beautiful! God is in control

Blessings to you sweet one,
Sarah Dawn

Deb said...

Thank you for sharing this story.

Our God is so good!

I'm glad that I found your blog.

Sweet dreams.

Kathleen said...

Yet another powerful proof of God's faithfulness and power. Oh how He loves us!

Warren Baldwin said...

An amazing story. They both gave the gift of life!

Elle Bee said...

THis story gave me shivers Kat. Thanks for sharing. I love that God brings goodness out of all things.
Elle

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a great story....

Candee Fick said...

Thanks for sharing this amazing story with us. It made me realize once again how big our God is and how He just loves to work all things together for our good and His glory.

Andrea said...

Kat,
My entire being is shaking...our GOD is awesome. HE is using everything to bring about HIS good. Thank you for sharing this post.
Blessings, love, and hugs, andrea

christy rose said...

What a powerful testimony! It definitely shows God's great love for us! Thanks for sharing this!

~from my front porch in the mountains~ said...

Isn't God awesome, Kat! Thank you so very much for posting this. My husband and I were both moved it :)
Blessings, Misha

Rebekah said...

what an awesome, Awesome story!

Crown of Beauty said...

This is an awesome account of God's sovereignty! I am sure that there are many more stories like this one!

Thank you for sharing.

Love
Lidj

Raye Ann said...

Wow, I am in tears right now. What a wonderful story of God's grace.

Blessings

wife.mom.nurse said...

What an amazing story...

I finally stopped by after seeing your sweet photo with the sign for I love you. As an aunt to a deaf nephew, I am always touched by your picture.

~Julie

LisaShaw said...

I'm weeping with joy as I read this!

Kat said...

Moving story, Kat. I can not hear or read about that day without tears and a goose bumps. I guess we will always feel that way.

I want to Amen your comment...one day at a time with God's leading. That is all I can handle. I praise God that He is handling the rest.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

That was a wonderful story.
God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

FlowerLady