Yvon's note: As I'm going through this website updating links, I came across this poem. It is long past 9/11, but life is still hard. We many not be part of a national tragedy, but we all carry pain, hurts, burdens, and fears. We many never know why in this life—but if we know Jesus, we know He is there. Somehow, always, He is enough. I needed the encouragement of this poem today and I'm sharing it again because some of you may need it also.
If you have not read this poem "Meet me in the Stairwell" (it has been all over the web) it is one of the most powerful reminders of God's presence on 9/11 and in all the difficult times in our lives. In addition to being a reminder of God's comfort, this could also be used as a powerful evangelism or outreach piece. It's a reminder that our Lord seeks the lost. We can reach to Him, but first, last, and always He is reaching down to us.
I've included the text of the poem below with credit to the author, Stacey Randal.
Warning: you'll probably need some tissues while reading this.
MEET ME IN THE STAIRWELL
You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news On September 11, 2001.
Neither will I.
I was on the 110th floor in a smoke-filled room with a man who called his wife to say ‘Good-Bye.’ I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, ‘Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK…I am ready to go.’
I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children. I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized he wasn’t coming home that night.
I was in the stairwell of the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to Me for help. ‘I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!’ I said. ‘Of course I will show you the way home – only believe in Me now.'
I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.
I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there, comforting and assuring them that their faith has saved them.
I was in Texas, Virginia, California, Michigan, Afghanistan. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense Me?
I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name – though not all know Me.
Some met Me for the first time on the 86th floor.
Some sought Me with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear Me calling to them through the smoke and flames; ‘Come to Me… this way… take my hand.’
Some chose, for the final time, to ignore Me. But, I was there.
I did not place you in the Tower that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for Me?
Sept. 11, 2001, was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek Me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are ‘ready to go.’
I will be in the stairwell of your final moments.
God
written by Stacey Randall 2002 ©Stacey Randal
Please share your thoughts, comments, questions!