Eyvonne reflects on 9/11 in today’s Thin Place Story. Her blog, DiscoveringTogether.com is filled with inspiration.  (Here is the link to share your Thin Place Story.)

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The air was thick with anticipation. My body groaned with the weight of new life. It was 3 days past time and every step, every breath, every thought was directed toward the new person inside.

Life was simpler then. There were no mortgages. No pastorate. No recession. No homework. No city.

On that day, Pain was a welcome friend.

I sat in my hospital bed prepared to meet new life. Water flowed; medication was administered; Pain left the building. here was no turning back. Anticipation was now our only companion.

Another visitor appeared. A reporter was standing in front of a tall building with dark clouds billowing. A plane appeared over his shoulder. The impact made him jump. More fire. More smoke. The world would never be the same — Evil walked into the room.

A few hours after Evil arrived, so did a great blessing, all 9 pounds and 4 ounces of her. September 11, 2001 is a terrible day for our nation. It is a day of great joy for me. 

How do you process new life and massive death? How do you reconcile that your child will never have a birthday without Evil as a visitor? The world we live in is full of life and death, good and evil, the best of times and the worst of times. Should we really be surprised that times of great joy are often interwoven with great pain?

Every September 11th, I remember the fallen. I remember that Evil is real; he sometimes appears at our doorstep, uninvited.

Every September 11th, the blessing of that day opens her eyes. She meets a new milestone for the first time – with joy and anticipation. Evil will have to wait outside.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  – John 16:33 (NIV)