A quarter century ago on this very morning the world changed forever, in the experience of those who were alive when it happened. Most of us remember where we were and what we were doing when we heart that the World Trade Center buildings had been attacked via weaponized commercial airliners. The ghastly event threw our nation into immediate chaos and panic. All commercial air traffic was grounded. Government facilities everywhere went on lockdown. No one knew who had attacked us and how long the assaults would last.
At the end of a long day navigating all of this at her work, Elaine (my wife) headed back home. Nearing our community, she realized that her car was very low on fuel. Having little choice, she pulled into a fairly good sized convenience facility in our town. Immediately she discovered that one by-product of the 09.11 attacks was a fear-driven run on gasoline. The pumps were jammed with cars, the parking area was a jumbled mess of vehicles, and lines to get to the facility went out into the streets. To her, it had all the look of a scene in which terrified mob mentality could take over.
However, she quickly discovered that something else was taking place. Employees of this particular quick stop had fanned out into their parking and fueling area. Calmly and cordially they guided people into lines for the fuel pumps. They smiled and assured everyone that they would get the gas they needed. They helped pump gas where necessary. Elaine noticed they were even talking with people who were particularly agitated, upset, or frightened. They listen and sympathized, and just offered whatever help they could. In a sea of uncertainty and terror, they created an oasis of care, comfort, and encouragement. Elaine has never forgotten this, and she remembers every detail, twenty-five years later.
I can guarantee you that no one trained these employees on how to deal with the public when the entire nation was under threat. They just did it; they rode the bicycle while they were building it. They dug deep within themselves for something they might not have known they had in them, and they provided light in the midst of sudden, terrifying darkness.
Even in division, violence, toxicity, injustice, hatred, and cruelty, the imprint of God remains in us. Even against seemingly insurmountable odds, we are at root still designed to love God and love each other. Often when the worst happens, it shows up.
In these scary, uncertain days. Look for this.
Be it.
I’ll see you around the next bend in the river.
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