Spiritual Development

Nobody really knows how many lives were saved when United Airlines Flight 93 plummeted into a Pennsylvania field on September 11. Everyone onboard perished, but nobody on the ground died. Todd Beamer and fellow passengers had prevented hijackers from crashing into a heavily populated area.

The following article by Todd's widow, Lisa, appears in the foreword of the book, A Reason for Hope.

A New Widow's Hope

By Lisa Beamer

The mention of September 11 brings to mind floods of memories and emotions for all of us. For most Americans, feelings of sadness, disbelief, anger and frustration prevail. Added to these for my family is the incredible personal pain of the loss of Todd, our husband, father, son and brother. With only these human emotions to draw upon I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to even breathe at times. The good news (yes there is good news!) is that God is faithful each moment to provide the supernatural resources I need not only to carry on, but to be even joyful on occasion. He is showing me His eternal perspective in ways I could not have imagined before September 11. He is giving me peace and steadiness at a time when these are humanly unexplainable. He is showering me with help from the people of His Church before I ask or even know what it is I need. Yes, this grieving is hard and will be a long road, but it is never without hope that God is sovereign and loving in our world and in my life.

Truly we have lost much, but we have gained much as well. As Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 I say now to the originators of the evil acts of September 11, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." God enabled Todd and his fellow passengers on Flight 93 to take uncommon and courageous actions that undoubtedly saved many lives here on earth. God is now enabling us as survivors to be equally courageous in saving many lives for eternity as we spread the Word of His love and His plan of eternal salvation to lost and searching souls. Although I suffer indescribable human pain, the knowledge of God's eternal good coming from these events is an unwavering anchor for me and will be for our boys someday as well.

Last week I was sorting through some papers in Todd's office and came across this quote, which he had kept at the bottom of his in-box for the past few years. I don't know his thoughts in keeping this in circulation, but it certainly seems prophetic in light of the turn his life took on September 11. It is a quote by Theodore Roosevelt: "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, who strives valiantly; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

On September 11, Todd's mission on earth was completed, and he ended daring greatly-not with the cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Our challenge in the time remaining for us is to each day dare greatly for God, leaving lukewarm faith behind.

I covet your prayers now and in the future as the boys and I face the challenges of life each day without Todd. I thank you in advance for the blessings these will bring for us.

I pray, too, as you face the challenges of each day that you will know that you are never without hope, through faith that is founded in the sovereign, loving God. May you be strengthened in hope and courage, to dare greatly for God, leaving lukewarm faith behind.

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