I remember the moment oh so well. I was working on a patient in my dental opertory and we had mounted television screens installed to relax the patient and to distract them from dental procedures. On this particular morning, it did just the opposite. As news stations broke for the emergency broadcast I watched events unfolding like a movie scene before my eyes. My patient and I sat in disbelief as we watched it happen. Before the towers fell, I asked my patient if I could stop and pray for the people in the towers and she agreed. Not knowing that within minutes many would enter eternity. Tears filled our eyes and that moment is forever etched in our minds.
I have come to realize that the only benefit from reliving difficult memories is to see what we learned about ourselves during those difficult times and how we learned to move forward. Reviewing the past and trying to understand the logic of it is neither healthy nor productive. I heard during the coverage, that the ticket agent that allowed the hijacker on the plane headed for the Pentagaon has never flown since. He cannot forgive himself for allowing those men on the plane. I wish that this person knew that the cross can carry all of that for him, that our Lord knows the pain, the suffering and the anguish and He can heal this man's broken heart. As horrific as this event was I do believe some amazing things happened that benefited us as human beings.
I do believe that pain changes us; I don't mean physical pain but emotional pain. When dreams are shattered, you have to grieve what you have lost and the reality of moving foward with a new kind of normal seems unattainable. I think the important thing is to always remember the pain but we don't have to feel it with every memory. We need to close the wound through His grace, and move forward to see how one day He will be glorified through the suffering. Ten years ago our family suffered intense pain; we are a changed family. We are stronger, grateful and mindful of what matters most in life. I don't want to relive that pain, but I am thankful for seeing new life created from those dark days.
I do believe that during everyone's lifetime you will experience some kind of pain . I pray for complete healing of painful experiences for you and know that the Father is so aware of your suffering and He is the great physician that heal even the deepest wounds. I am living proof.