I received this from a good

friend, Paul Toth. We all receive items that are passed around on the

Internet. I can only say that in my soul and spirit, I believe this to

be true. I print it in its entirety.

"A man from Norfolk, VA

called a local radio station to share this on Sept. 11, 2003. His Name

was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

"A few weeks before Sept.

11, 2001, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child.

She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to

the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be

with her. Shortly after I said 'amen' we both heard a loud pop and the

car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly

as I could, but we still missed her flight. We were both very upset as

we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired from the

New York Fire Department. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but

I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her

flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower.

"I was too shocked to

speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This

is not something I can just sit by for, I have to do something.'

"I was concerned for his

safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ.

After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of

the phone, he said, 'Take good care of my grandchild.'

"Those were the last words

I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly

became anger. Anger at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for

nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never

know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never

got to say good-bye.

"Then something happened.

About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when

there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she

wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.

The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews.

I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the

chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

"He explained to me that

his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside

after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He

then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free

her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his

life for people like this. He then said, 'There is something else you

need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free

her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news.

"Now I know that when

I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me,

and that this family would be able to thank him themselves.

"When their baby boy was

born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life

so mother and baby could live."

This story should help us to

realize two things: First, though it has been two years since the attacks,

we should never let it become a mere tragic memory. God tells us to "resist

evil and do good." Second, but most importantly, God is always in

control. Trust in Him as the "rock" on which we stand.

When Rudy the underweight football

player wanted to go to Notre Dame, he spoke to his priest. The priest

concluded: "God is real, and I ain't him!"

We may not see the reason behind

things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is always in

control.

Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor

of His House Community Church (SBC). Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Dr.

Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School Superintendent, Bible study coordinator

and teacher. The church is on Ga. Highway 85 in Senoia, a mile south of

Ga. Highway 16 and just past the firse station on the right. Visitors

welcome. Church office and Prayer line 770-719-2365 E-Mail [email protected].

Web address is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.

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