GOD IS IN CONTROL

A man from Norfolk, VA, called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

"A few weeks before Sept 11th, my wife & 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 & be with her. Shortly after I said 'Amen' we both heard a loud pop & 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 FDNY.

He asked what my wife's flight number was, but 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 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. Anger at God, at my father & at myself. I had gone for nearly 2 years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ & I never got to say goodbye.

Then something happened. About 2 months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife & 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 & asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand & said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'

He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center & had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant & had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife & 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 & 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 & 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 mother & baby could live.

This story should help us to realize two things: First, that though it has been two years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.

And second, but most important, God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things & we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS IN CONTROL. - Greg W. (2jesus.org)

Job 25:2 (CEV) says: “God is the one to fear, because God is in control and rules the heavens.”