The Never Ending Story

Have you ever seen the movie, 'The Never Ending Story?' It is a wonderful children's story about a boy, his love of books, and how he becomes a part of the story he is reading. His adventure includes learning the dreadful secret that, 'a terrible nothing' was taking over the land. He saw it happening. There were others who saw it too, and wanted to stop it, but most of the characters didn't believe it. I haven't thought about that story for quite some time, but I can still picture some of the scenes. I loved to watch it when my boys were young, and as an adult I found myself wondering if the story was speaking to some very deep and current themes all around me. 

For months now I have been unable to sit down and write on this blog. It was like the terrible nothing that took over my writing! Whereas words usually flow easily from my mind to my keyboard, there was a block. My last post speaks to it a bit, I think. The truth is that I have had more than one pity party this year, and all I could think to write was something like, 'Hey 2011, you can kiss my butt.' 

Lovely, right? See why I have been so quiet? Sigh.....

Today, however, was September 11, 2011.

For many of us, I imagine, the parts of our lives that have been fuzzy came more into focus. Priorities became clearer. Life and the preciousness of it took center stage. We mourned the loss of too many innocent souls ten years ago. We grieved with the mothers and fathers, the husbands and wives, the children, and brothers and sisters of not only those who were murdered, but those who lost their lives trying to save others. We wiped tears from our eyes every time an American flag was displayed and songs of our nation were sung in unity of spirit. We were pensive, respectful. For one day, we were all allowed to think about the important rather than the urgent. It was okay to talk about things like the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and ponder what it means to each of us individually. It was a day of honor. Those in uniforms were visible everywhere....some as recipients of invitations, the rest, as part of their ongoing duty to protect others. Because today, just like in the story, whether we acknowledge it or not, there is still an ever present danger. Seventy-seven of our soldiers were injured this morning by the vile and pusillanimous act of a suicide bomber in the Wardak Province of Afghanistan. And we all know that there was a credible threat lurking within our own borders today too. As the clock ticks down on this historic day in our nation's history, though,  I will close  my eyes in thanksgiving. I thank God for hearing the prayers of so many. I thank Him that all of the ceremonies today were performed safely. I thank Him that none of those soldiers died from the attack this morning. I thank our military men and women for volunteering to be in harm's way in an effort to protect us and our freedoms. I thank all of the military families who sacrifice right along with their loved ones who are deployed.  I thank all of our uniformed men and women for choosing lives of service, and for the true American dream of freedom for all men and women everywhere. 

There is a surprise at the end of, 'The Never Ending Story'  that reminds me of a promise at the end of another book. I won't spoil it, but it is worth reading for yourself! 

Revelation 21:5