Ground Zero

Our trip to New York included a visit to Ground Zero. I was surprised to see that even after all these years the construction crew was still working at ground level. I had assumed that it would have been all cleared off with a memorial standing. Instead, it was a very busy construction site.

We were amazed that just across the street stands St. Paul's Chapel. This historic church was founded in 1776. George Washington worshiped there. They still have his pew on display, which was actually a comfortable looking arm chair. It is a miracle that this building and the courtyard cemetery were not damaged during the collapse of the twin towers. As you look at the picture, the construction fence surrounds the site of the World Trade Center and the wrought iron fence is the courtyard of the church.

The courtyard cemetery was a lovely place to enter. It contained tombstones from long ago. They were so aged and eroded by the years that on many, the engraving had vanished. It reminded me of the book of Ephesians in the Bible. Dust in the wind. On this earth we will all one day go to the grave. Hundreds of years from now we will not be remembered except on a genealogy chart. Perhaps some will go down in the history books but not many. Things of eternal consequence are what really matter in life. God and people. I am grateful for the reminder.

As we enter the building we separated as we each looked at the many displays of memorabilia from the fateful day when the towers fell and life in the United States of America was changed forever. We were reminded of the great outpouring of love from all over our nation and even other areas of the world. We were reminded of the people who died. They weren't statistics. They were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. We were reminded of the strength of the human spirit as people came from all over to help and to show their love and support for the people of New York City.

Before we left to return to our hotel room for a much needed rest, we paused as a group to pray for our nation. We also stopped to look at the cross that was formed when one of the beams fell. Remember the reassurance that cross gave to the people? God was with them and He is with you. No matter what you face.