When tragedy struck on that dreadful day, one of the most terrifying days in the world's history. We were all at a loss for words, and our world was forever changed. What has happened? Ten years into our healing, we’re still affected by the many innocent lives that were taken. I believe no matter how hard you try, there are some things that can’t be erased, replaced but we can hopefully come to a place of healing.Some things remain forever broken, although our hearts must find a way to healing.


Yes, the buildings can go up again but the memories will always remain. There were many lives loss, loved ones, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and the list continues to go on. How can you get back the things that were never finished? I’m sure that many will agree, that we were not ready to let go or finished loving them so. Yes, we are taught to forgive but the images are forever a permanent resident implanted in our brains and visions.

Those that were truly affected by losing loved ones are still in need of comfort to relieve the pain and longing of their hearts. We hear your heart cries and see the pain written on your face, for we are filled with sorrow and I hope our prayers are being answered asking God to grant you strength and peace within you, within others, and within the world. I pray that your needs are being met and that each person is becoming aware that regardless, of our differences in the world the importance of standing together and remembering to pray for them, to hold them in our thoughts and have faith that  a current of healing will surge throughout their minds, souls and bodies and be blessed. I pray that each day is brighter than the day before. Allow God to be your forever strength.

Angela M. Thomas

http://www.AngelaMThomas.com

Life has a way of pushing us beyond our capability. We all face trials and challenges in life. There are many people who has suffered a terrible loss. Some have lost their homes, loved ones, and sense of security due to a job lost.

I believe it is during these times of loss and struggle, we come to a place in knowing that some things are out of our control and adversity teaches us the skills to cope, but prayer teaches us to trust and hope for brighter days to come.

Without a doubt, problems are an inevitable part of life and we can be assured that as long as we have breath, we will encounter obstacles on our journey. Our survival mechanism to solve problems and overcome these burdens help us to cope and survive the hard times and work towards reaching a place for better days to come.

We become stronger, wiser, and better people through our process of struggles by working through them for a solution and not giving up because of these hardships. Of course, this is never easy to endure and there maybe times when we are ready to throw in the towel due to being stressed and overwhelmed.

Sometimes, we feel there's no way out and we question how we will get through these storms of life. But I believe the only way through is to continue pushing and praying our way through the crisis and knocking down one problem at a time, instead of trying to solve everything at once.

We will one day reach a place when we can look back and marvel at our strength and endurance doing those moments of uncertainty. Just when we thought we couldn't take anymore or face another day we held on to our faith and took another step and emerged from adversity to wholesome and victory.

Angela M. Thomas

http://www.AngelaMThomas.com

When all is well, we aren't aware just how badly we need God. We forget that He's the One to make all things possible in our lives. Yet when difficulties shows up and overwhelm us, we quickly run to Him. Desperation improves our perspective and our prayers. Why? Because it leads us back to the arms of God, where we discover all the comfort, peace, security and rest for which we so deeply yearn.

The greatest enemy to our faith is prosperity. When everything comes easy for us, we grow lazy, proud, and selfish. When everything is sunshine, and roses in our lives, our prayers lose their passion and sometimes we forget about praying. Ah....but when the rain come pouring down with strong winds and hail, when the disappointments comes and the doors closes, when worry and fear descends, that's when we give Him our all in praying with all our heart. Without difficulty, there appears no need for faith. Without faith, miracles lay unclaimed. When we endure hardships and strong trials, we learn to have stronger faith in the impossibles. In (Matthew 11: 28, NLT) Jesus invites us: Come to me, all o you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

No matter how difficult our struggles or how deep our wounds, they carry with them a great lesson to be learned. They teach us so much about ourselves, life, and most importantly about trusting God. They strengthen us and enrich us in ways that nothing else can. We are warriors of patience to endure, courage to survive, compassion to reach beyond and out to others that are enduring or in need, maturity to grow, to transform and change something terribly hurtful and devastating into something positive. We find a way to embrace life hardships, pain, struggles and tragedies and the faith to know that we are never alone.

Your struggles may not be my struggle, but we may indeed be able to give each other hope, a helping hand, comfort and courage to make it through the storms of life. For some, that season of hardship, heartaches and pain will be longer than for others, but there will come a time when it will all end. God promises to us "He will restore, strengthen us, never abandon us, support us, always forgive and love us, and He will place you on a firm foundation to stand on.

I planted seeds of friendship love in my garden, but nothing came from the planted seeds of love. But I did not quit on this love. I waited a year and the seeds began to grow and bloom just a little. But again, nothing came from the hard labor of planting the seeds of love. Now I have entered the second year, I was excited and hopeful but there was still nothing from the friendship seeds of love. But I refuse to become discouraged and quit. In year three, it was time for me to seek God for answers on what I was possibly doing wrong to work so hard and labor without receiving a small token of friendship love. I went into my secret place on my knees with my face planted on the floor asking for one good reason I should not walk away from this thing called "Friendship Love". I heard a soft whisper telling me to look around where you now stand my child. I have brought you a mighty long way and it wasn't always easy for I had to dust you off and reshape your entire being. But look at you now, I have given you a heart like mine full of compassion and love and it never once entered my mind about giving up on you.

When I planted that new seed inside of you, I saved you from the pit of hell. I now expect you as my co-worker to save my other children from their pit of hell. Many are lost in a darken state and seeking a way out. The walls appear to be crumbling around them. Some are walking around with an empty vessel and hoping that someone will give them a warm embrace, listening ear, word of hope and inspiration, conversation, prayers, encouragement, advice and direction, and someone to just fill their cups up with love. So, I have decided that I will never quit! I will continue on this mission until my sisters and brothers are set free.

Upon entering my fourth year, a very small  vibrant and unusual bud appeared from the earth. A month later every where I looked there were a multitude of true friendship love, rejoicing and wholesome. The faith, nurturing, attention, dedication, prayers and refusal to give up made the roots strong and gave it what it need to blossom and survive. It was all due to love and compassion. I heard another small whisper, "Angela, I would not give you a challenge you could not handle." All this time you have been persistent, struggling, and doing my work, you have actually been planting and growing the roots of human kindness and Spiritual Love all over the world. So, my friends I will never quit on you, even if you don't return this planted seeds of friendship love. I will continue to labor in prayer for all my friends. You will rise high and together we shall all, "Give God the Glory by rising as high as we can. God, my friends would never give up on us. 

James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produce wonderful results.