Life’s Shadows

By

Annette Bergman

 

On the anniversary of September 11, 2001 I hope we haven’t forgotten to pray for: the people that were lost, the injured and the ones who have emotional scares that they will be remembering on this day.

As I was taking my evening walk after the attack on our nation, I was reflecting on the past two days:  the torment so many of the people in America were going through in our darkest hour. 

Since the sun had been at my back, I hadn’t noticed that it was an exceptionally bright sunset.  As I turned the corner,  the houses cast long dark shadows on the sidewalk that crossed the street. I was walking in one of the  shadow. In between the houses the sun cast brilliant beams on the bushes and flowers, as thought they were being spotlighted for their final hour of beauty for the day.

I began to think that is how our lives are, sometimes we walk in shadows and sometimes we walk in the brilliant sunlight. As Americans we are accustomed to living in the bright light of our freedom all of the time. 

When bombings, earth quakes, flood and disasters occur in other countries we are some of the first to offer aid.  We watch in horror on television and feel compassion for the unfortunate.

After September 11, 2001, we will always  remember that we no longer take our freedom for granted. We are able to have a deeper compassion for the suffering.

Everyone I have talked to feels a degree of illness after watching the horror of 9/11on television.

We have to keep a watchful eye out for our neighbor next door and be more aware of what is going on around us. We need to be more involved in our neighborhoods.

Right now,  Americans are walking in a dark shadow that has been cast by some evil acts over our country.   But, just as the sun shown in between the houses so will the sunshine in our lives once again. No one can stop the sun from shining on America.

We are a Christian nation. Together we must pray for fellow Americans in New York and in our neighborhoods counting our blessing every day for the life style so many of us have enjoyed living in a free country.