How 911 Inspired Us

Grand Prize Winner: "A Time to Heal."

Submitted by: Beth Marshall

"The Lord is so loving the way He doesn't allow one tragedy, hurt or pain be wasted.

I have been amazed the way He used the unthinkable sorrow of September 11th, 2001, to start a project that has now gone around the world. As the heartbreaking stories unfolded after 9/11 I, like many others felt the unshakable urge to do something to make a difference. It was within a few weeks, the Lord led me to create A Time to Heal, a grief journal. My desire was to use the pain of my mom's sudden death, just 1 year earlier to hopefully bring about some healing for victim's families. A Time to Heal was designed to walk someone through a season of grief by telling the story of their loved one's life. The journal is bathed in powerful scriptures and filled with the hope found in Jesus Christ.

In November, 2001 I was asked to join a group traveling from SC to NYC to deliver teddy bears to children who had lost a parent. My role was to bring along some of the newly printed journals to leave in New York. We were able to share journals with FDNY fire fighters who had lost brave co-workers, leave copies for relief workers near ground zero and drop off copies at St Patrick's Cathedral.

From the beginning, I have sensed the Lord's hand orchestrating it's path. Within another month from the NY trip, the book took another surprising turn when it became a resource for healing at the Army Chaplain's Office at the Pentagon.

I tell you all this to say, we serve a loving and awesome God who cares about His children; also that when He begins something, He will surely complete His work!

Ten years later, in April of this year A Time to Heal, a grief journal was published and released worldwide. About a month later a friend from Japan felt that same unshakable urge I had felt, to do something. She desperately wanted to help families in Japan devastated by the March tsunami and earthquakes. My friend Mika surprised me with a beautiful Japanese manuscript she had translated! Thankfully, that (free pdf download) is now available to pastors serving in Japan.

My prayer is that the book will continue to travel, and reach people in many more languages... Spanish is in the works now! To God be the glory!!"

"I need to do more for people, my country, and the unfortunate."

Submitted by: Mildred

"The tragedy 0f 911 was so shocking to me. Tears come to my eyes, yet, as I remember the traumatic, horrifying pictures on TV. Although I didn't lose a loved one there, my heart went out for all the lives lost, the shock, pain of people that did, and at the time, I thought,"How can this happen in The United States?" In America? Then, I said, "Well, the danger has been all around us, but, why couldn't we prevent it"?

The people, volunteers who helped in the crisis were surely and rightly commended for their unselfish and brave, tireless efforts. It was a test of their courage, bravery, endurance. In America, people bond together, help each other when tradegy strikes. It is so wonderful to see that.

After 911, I thought, "I need to do more for people, my country, and the unfortunate." I had volunteered in my county for Sharing-Caring many years, but became more involved in my church, helping in my own way to help raise funds for our church. I am a homebound lay person who ministers to the spiritual needs of people in our church who cannot physically go to church. It makes me realize just how fortunate I am to be able to do this. What a blessing I have received in return. I had been in a bad car accident earlier, which was traumatic for me, but I'm so thankful I can walk, again, able to do this ministry. Just to see the welcoming, loving look on people's faces when I arrive is enough for me, and they always thank me with a smile. My father told me to always be kind to older people as I might be old myself, one day.

It seemed to me that I would be doing good for my fellow brothers or sisters by trying to make more donations, so I did that. I try to remember, "Love thy neighbor", and put forth efforts to be kind.

I feel 911 did make a difference in my life, hopefully it made me a better, more caring person to my family and other people.

"I was most inspired of all the patriotism that followed."

Submitted by: James Sheldon

"September 11th 2001 was a devastating shock to all Americans. So how you ask, how did 9/11 inspire me?

I remember it well as the news media played the planes crashing into the towers over and over. I think all Americans saw these images and have them engraved in our minds forever. It seems like yesterday not ten years later. But here we are. Have we as a society changed much? Have we learned anything? I hope so. I was most inspired of all the patriotism that followed. People flew the American flag again with pride. You would see it everywhere. Not just front porches but on their cars and trucks and in businesses across the USA. For the first time I think most of us finally felt that maybe we as a nation are not so invincible.

Todd Beamer inspired me the most that horrific 9/11 day. He died at only 32. He recited the lords prayer and then said "Are you guys ready? Let's roll." These words have stuck with me since that frightful day. These events of September 11th have forever changed me. They have inspired me to give back to my community and to my family. As country music star Tim McGraw’s song “Live like you were dying” states. “And I loved deeper, And I spoke sweeter.” Now I truly appreciate life and value family even more. No more taking life for granted."