Amazing Story

There are two very important
messages here.
"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are
living
for. Long before we first heard of Christ, ...he had his eye
on us,
had
designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose
he is
working out in everything and everyone.
Ephesians 1:11

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 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 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 goodbye.
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 is
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 lead 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
mother and baby could live."

This story should help us to realize two things:
First - that though it has been three 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, and
we may never know this side of heaven, but God is
ALWAYS in control.

Please take time to share this amazing story with
those you love. You may never know the impact it may
have on someone.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.