When Tragedy Strikes...

husband walk in the door--and she will have no definitive word. Someone's mommy or daddy will not pick them up and hug them again. Sons and daughters are gone, bringing grief to parents.

But God is still near. Everywhere prayer services are hastily organized and many of us in shock, outrage, anger, numb from the events gather to find peace and solace in God's word and comfort from each other. We give hugs, we exchange tokens of affection.

"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)

We cannot bank on being here on earth today or next week or next month or next year. We can't even bank on getting home! For some, occupational hazards make this truth very real. For others, unplanned tragedies fall upon us. While a co-worker's statement seemed cold and callused, it does serve as a reminder: "I guess the New York Times obituaries will be a complete section." Death is a part of human existence. In one day it claimed lives on a grander scale than normal. But death strikes and claims lives. And as tragic as the events of 9/11/2001 are, an even greater tragedy is people dying without faith in God's promise of a Savior from sin. May we see an urgency in sharing this Good News with all.

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." (Psalm 118:6-9)

In the days and weeks leading up to the travesty, politicians debated defense spending and defense programs. We were told that the Army was "all that it could be" and the Marines have "a few good men." Security at airports was considered safe--although my pastor often wondered how trustworthy security manned by guards making minimum wage was. How much are you willing to risk your life for? Or the radio announcer who reported several years ago leaving his car outside the Milwaukee airport terminal to get his luggage and returned to find an officer writing a ticket. The reason for the ticket? Because the car was unattended outside an airport terminal and could be a terrorist threat.

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