A Gift Out Of The Blue

I am always amazed at the things people throw out in the trash.
There are lawn chairs that look as if they would not be able to hold a feather.
There are sofas that have seen better days.
I once saw a sofa bed, which had springs protruding from every side.

As I drive around, I take notice of the things that are on the side of the road.
I am sure that people put furniture by the curb in the hopes that someone will pick it up.
There are many people that find wonderful things on the side of the road.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.

A sweet young mom invited me over for lunch.
Two of her three children were at school.
Her youngest child ate lunch with us.
That precious little girl was bringing me her favorite books and toys as her mom and I talked.

I admired an armoire that was in their family room.
The young mom laughed.
We found it on the side of the road, she told me.
She saw the potential in this piece of furniture.

She and her husband brought it home and went to work.
It is a lovely piece of furniture.
It is one that I would have in my home.
Kindred spirits, she and I.

I love to find things.
Not necessarily on the side of the road, but at consignment sales or barn sales.
I love to see the potential in things just like that sweet young mom.
What someone sees as useless, I see as useful.

Our country just remembered the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack.
On that day, two planes deliberately flew into the Twin Towers in downtown Manhattan.
The heat from the fires that began on impact, melted the steel and twisted the supports.
The tallest buildings in Manhattan at that time, collapsed into dust and rubble.

The construction engineers could never have imagined that a collapse was possible.
The buildings were constructed to withstand many things.
However, that day, under those circumstances, the buildings came down like pick-up sticks.
Each one of us remembers where we were and what we were doing on that day.

On the 15th anniversary, there were many stories of remembrance.
There was the reading of the 2,606 names of people who died at the World Trade Center.
Of those deaths, 343 were firefighters and 71 were law enforcement officers.
There were times of prayer remembering those who died and those who are left behind.

As I read accounts of the day, fifteen years later, I came upon one story that touched me.
Joel Meyerowitz, a photographer, spent nine months at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.
One day, while inside the South Tower, a firefighter came down a slope of rubble.
Something was in his hand.

He held out his hands and gave the object to Joel.
In an interview, Joel said that the fireman seemed to know that this was special.
All they saw around them was destruction.
The fireman saw this object as a gift out of the blue.

The fireman handed Joel a Bible that was melted onto a heart-shaped piece of steel.
Joel knew that the Bible was fragile.
Somehow the pages were intact, though singed on the edges.
Joel wrapped the Bible that was melted to a piece of steel in his scarf and placed it in his bag.

Joel kept the Bible in his studio with other artifacts that were found.
He wanted to wait until he could find the right place for the Bible to have a permanent home.
Joel kept the Bible in his studio until 2010.
As he was working with the people on the 9/11 memorial; he knew the right home was found.

Joel was amazed when he read the passage that lay open before him.

You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
(Matthew 5:38,39)

There was a heading above the verse that lay open before him.
The heading simply said: Retaliation.
Joel felt that a solemn message had been left for those who looked upon this gift out of the blue.
You cannot help but have a sense of wonder and awe, Joel said.

Joel saw this gift out of the blue as a symbol of survival.
The Word of God has survived wars, famines, persecutions, and neglect.
Yet it survives.
The Word of God has survived and will continue to survive.

The grass withers and the flowers fail, but the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)

The Word of God stands forever.
The fireman seemed to intuitively know that.
Joel seemed to recognize that truth.
The Bible opened to Matthew 5:38,39 is now in the 9/11 memorial museum for all to see.

The Bible melted onto a piece of steel is there for all to see and be amazed.
God’s Word goes forth.
Nothing can destroy the Word of God.
God makes sure of that.