(our theme for September)

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of one of the most shocking and devastating days in American history. On September 11, 2001 when terrorists hijacked the planes that destroyed the twin towers of the World Trade Center, struck the Pentagon, and might have caused who knows what additional terror and chaos were it not for the brave souls who revolted and took a fourth plane down before it could reach the capital, the world changed forever.

A couple of years ago, I had an opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and stood mesmerized by the reflecting pools that flow where the towers of the World Trade Center once stood. I was not prepared for the depth of emotion I felt at that visit. After all, it had been 20 years since the day of the attacks. But I was overcome, moved to tears by the endlessly flowing water, the names of those lost, and the white roses left in memory. I was reminded that healing is a process, and that when it comes to the greatest losses we experience and the deepest griefs we bear, healing is a process that is never fully complete. I was reminded that hope, also, is a process.

Hope is not easy. In fact, hope can be hard work. Waiting patiently–for healing, for redemption, for faith to be restored, to see goodness come from evil–that’s hard work. It takes grit.

At the 9/11 Memorial site, there is a tree known as The Survivor Tree. This Callery pear tree was found lying in the rubble, torn, splintered, burned, and almost dead. Inspired to save it, recovery workers transported the tree to a nursery in the Bronx. Six years later, one of them, a man named Ronald Vega, wondered what had become of the tree and set out to find her. As soon as he saw the tree, visibly scarred but thriving, he was on a mission to return her to the Memorial site. The process was not easy. In 2010, the tree was again struck, uprooted by a Nor'easter that blew through the Bronx in March of that year. She was again re-planted and tended, watched over and prayed over. And in April of that year, she burst forth in spectacular white blossoms, indicating a full recovery. In December of the same year, The Survivor Tree was returned to the World Trade Center site, where she serves as a beacon of hope against terror and tragedy. And for the past ten years, the 9/11 Memorial seedling program has gifted Callery pear seedlings to three communities each year impacted by grand-scale violence and loss.

Today as we reflect on that day the world changed, and look ahead with uncertainty to a world that is changing, perhaps The Survivor Tree can inspire us to wait with patience, and to hope for what we do not see.

Gracious and loving God, your grace works to heal the deepest wounds of humanity and to bring a light of hope to the darkest of places. Today may we partner with you by waiting patiently and expectantly for your healing and your light, in hope for a future we cannot see. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

This devotional was written and read by Greta Smith.

Grace for All is a daily devotional podcast produced by the members of the congregation of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. With these devotionals, we want to remind listeners on a daily basis of the love and grace that God extends to all human beings, no matter their location, status, or condition in life.

If you would like to respond to these devotionals in any way, we would enjoy hearing from you. Our email address is: podcasts@1stchurch.org.

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