The chilly air off the Hudson River only added to the somber spirit of the crowd that wrapped its way along Albany Street. As the final haze of twilight shifted to darkness, our eyes couldn’t help but be drawn upward to the nearest source of light. The Freedom Tower, still topped by cranes, glowed in muted tones of red, white, and blue – a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom that many of our fellow citizens paid that fateful September morning a decade ago.

Returning to New York, we felt the trip to the new 9/11 Memorial was a way to honor those Americans we lost that day. Little did we realize that after we toured “Ground Zero,” we’d carry with us a renewed sense of gratitude. The reflection pools, sparkling in the illuminated footprints of the former Twin Towers, reminded us of a day that’s coming when we will no longer need manmade sources of light. And the sound of falling water spoke volumes about the hope we have for an eternity where tears will never again be shed:

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21:6-7, 23-24, 4

I’m not sure what sadness you carry with you these days, but humanity shares the common bond of loss in a world that’s far from perfect. All of us have had tear-streaked faces, empty chairs at the holidays, and some type of silent burden that we often must bear alone. Yet with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it seems appropriate to shift our gaze heavenward – off of these earthly trappings and upward to that future hope that’s not far from being completed. As the Lord lovingly reminded us before He paid the complete price for our freedom:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:1-4

We look forward to that eternal future with great anticipation, but there is still much work to be done. As my husband and I stood amongst the crowd that evening, we wondered how many there had accepted God’s gift of ultimate freedom. We thought about the need to keep sharing the Gospel message – and what role we should be playing in this important process. We also thanked God for allowing us to live in a great country where we have the ability to talk openly to others about Him.

Despite the sense of loss that still lingers in lower Manhattan, we left that sacred ground with a fresh perspective on life – and a renewed sense of purpose for the days, weeks, and months ahead. While our journey here on Earth won’t be easy, we’re alive in the Lord and able to serve Him. And even as the lights of the Freedom Tower slowly dimmed when we drove uptown toward our hotel, we knew the Light in us remains illuminated – a fact for which we are forever grateful.

Many blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving from all of us at Sonkist Ministries!

Thought of the Month

You are my God, and I will praise you;
you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:28-29

Taking the Lead by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

Aside from the flurry of leaves whisking down my street each morning and the crisp breeze that greets me as I step outside my door, another sure sign that autumn is on its way is Lucy’s inevitable attempt to trick Charlie Brown into kicking a football.

You remember the comic strip series, Peanuts? Every fall the loveable, yet awkward boy Charlie is enticed by the deceptive neighbor girl, Lucy. She promises (yet again) to hold the football so Charlie Brown can kick it, but she somehow always manages to pull it away at the last second. The result? Poor Charlie ends up flat on his back . . . and usually not in a soft pile of fall leaves!

This is about the point that we read that famous phrase, “Good grief!”

Like Charlie Brown’s premature balding (what’s up with that anyway?), I really never understood this oxymoronic statement . . . what could possibly be good about grief? Yet recently I came across a Scripture that stood out in an unusual way to me. Look at John 16:20:

“Truly, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy when you see me again.”

Jesus was talking to His disciples about His eminent return to Heaven. Though they had experienced many wonderful times together, the Lord was preparing them for His eventual departure . . . and even gave them a gentle warning about what the future would be like for them as well:

“You have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice and no one can rob you of that joy . . . I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trails and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:22,33

Most of us can attest to some of the sadness and sorrow that’s experienced during life here on Planet Earth. Maybe you’ve been betrayed by a friend – even repeatedly – like good old Charlie Brown. Or perhaps you feel as if you are always the outsider – different from others because of your faith and how you’ve chosen to live your life. And there are often deeper wounds – hidden carefully from others so as not to stir up any more pain than we already experience in our day-to-day lives.

So, what’s so good about grief? The fact that it will one day be suddenly turned to JOY when we see Jesus again! He is in Heaven now preparing our eternal home (John 14:1-6), but He has promised to return for us. And, unlike some untrustworthy people in this world, the Lord always keeps His promises!

I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for sadness to be transformed into sheer happiness! So, let’s take comfort in the Lord’s message to us. Despite the struggles and suffering we may have right now, all of that will be changed in an instant at the sight of the Lord who loves us so much He was willing to die so we could live forever!

As you walk through this new season of life, remember that you are not alone. You can believe in the One who made you, loves you, and is longing to spend all of eternity with you. Won’t you put your trust in God as He prepares to turn all of your grief into something good?

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isn’t like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you; I am going away, but I will come back to you again . . . “

John 14:27-28

Thought of the Month

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent . . . And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to live a pure and blameless life. And be at peace with God.”

II Peter 3:9, 14

God I Don’t Get It by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.

The Power of Your Words by Sonkist Ministries on Mixcloud

For those of you who are viewing this on an iPhone or iPad, please listen to our radio shows using the MixCloud iTunes App here. Download the app and then search for “Sonkist” under the “cloudcasts” search option.