Friday, September 7, 2001 was a spectacular day in NYC. I was visiting my dear friend, Lynette, and we happily began our morning with a HOT NOW donut at the new Krispy Kreme on the first floor of the World Trade Center. To this day, I still laugh about the "coffee incident" (one of many, over our many years of friendship) when Lynette was forced to relinquish control of her cup as they insisted on adding cream and sugar FOR YOU behind the counter before handing over to their customers. It could've been quite ugly but she was gracious, as is always true. Or, at least, that is how I'm choosing to remember it. (Old friends can joke this way, OKAY??) We savored every bite, licked the last of the icing off our lips and she continued her subway journey across the Hudson to her office as I set out to shop and explore.
Our extended weekend of adventure came to a close on Monday evening. Storms rolled in and my plane waited them out on the runway at Laguardia. They were threatening to close the airport but we got out just in the nick of time. I wasn't worried, though, as I had a free place to stay another night if that happened.
Back in Charlotte the next morning I rolled in to my office, only to find my co-workers staring in stunned silence at the TV screen. The Twin Towers were ablaze and the hellish destruction was just beginning. I imagined what was happening that moment at the Krispy Kreme, as surely the patrons were now running for their lives. Lives that were forever affected. Harrowing stories of tragedy emerged alongside countless acts of heroism and help. People came together as true brothers and sisters to carry each other's burdens. Party lines were crossed as we chose for a brief moment to identify ourselves only as Americans, united in a true state of cooperation.
And what emerged was, indeed, beautiful.
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,
even though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea.
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake
with its swelling,
there’s a river
whose streams shall make glad
the City of God,
the holy place of the Tabernacle
of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her.
She shall not be moved.
God shall help her
just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged,
the kingdoms were moved.
He uttered his voice.
The earth melted.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come behold the works of the Lord
who has made desolations in the Earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the Earth.
He breaks the bough
and cuts the spear in two.
He burns the chariot in fire.
Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the Earths.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore, we will not fear,
even though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried
into the midst of the sea.
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
though the mountains shake
with its swelling,
there’s a river
whose streams shall make glad
the City of God,
the holy place of the Tabernacle
of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her.
She shall not be moved.
God shall help her
just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged,
the kingdoms were moved.
He uttered his voice.
The earth melted.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come behold the works of the Lord
who has made desolations in the Earth.
He makes wars cease
to the ends of the Earth.
He breaks the bough
and cuts the spear in two.
He burns the chariot in fire.
Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations.
I will be exalted in the Earths.
The Lord of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
- Psalm 46
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