A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this
on Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES
OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, 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. both very upset, we drove home.
I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD.
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't 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. I was angry 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 i
s 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 that a mother
and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always in control.
We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never
know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.
Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never
know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't call
the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Forever. Psalm 136:1
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