September 11: Finding the Good in the Evil

wpid-2012-07-04-10.19.47.jpgAs I sit here remembering where I was on September 11, 2001, it is hard to even fathom how something so horrific happened in our nation. Like so many others, I replay the awful, tragic events of the day.

I remember sitting outside on our porch the evening of the attacks, trying to wrap my brain around what I saw that morning. Our children were close by – we weren’t letting them out of our sight. The sky was calm and blue, and pastel hues began to emerge as the sun was setting. It was eerily quiet with no aircraft flying overhead. Neighbors were coming over, and a large gathering of stunned and somber people filled our yard. Folks that would normally just nod hello actually stopped to chat longer, as everyone needed to be surrounded by someone.

The next morning, people were lined up outside a flag store in our town, and by mid-day, America flags were swaying gently in the breeze on almost every house. News stories talked about long lines for giving blood donations; doctors and others were jumping in their cars and heading to New York to lend assistance; bottled water, clothing and non-perishables were collected. Churches opened their doors for prayer. People were kinder to each other and helping each other – looking out for their neighbors. September 12 brought about a change of heart and spirit. Police, firefighters and military members were thanked and honored. Somehow, as awful as September 11 was, September 12 began anew. Patriotism was sincere. People were changed.

So now, 14 years later, I have to ask, what the heck happened? How on earth did we forget what it was like to be bonded together and act civil towards one another?

Just this past week, a firefighter lost his life to an angry hit-and-run driver. Police officers are under attack, and I stopped counting how many we lost last week. Military members and their families are threatened. There have been instances where first responders have been refused service just because they are police officers or service members.

I’m not delusional – I know that there are a few rogue cops and soldiers amongst the ranks. But the majority of our first responders are honorable people. These are the folks that not only protect us, they serve us. They go into burning buildings; they perform first aid and CPR; they extract people from twisted wreckage; they deliver babies who are born en route to the hospital; they put a uniform on every day, and every day wonder if they will come home to their families.

And the discord doesn’t stop there. It runs so deep that it is oozing all over social media. If you have an opinion that is different from someone else’s, you are chastised and humiliated for speaking your mind. Bad manners and rudeness runs rampant.

Why don’t we care about each other anymore? Everything is a shouting match, a protest, or angry sparring online. There is little civility, and there is little to no respect for authority or anyone else. Sanctity of life seems to be out the window. People have died due to beatings at sports events. Spirits get crushed by betrayals made public.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.” Mother Teresa

We are divided and fragmented, hateful and opinionated instead of being united as one, like we were on September 12, 2001.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like who we have become. Reading or watching the news is difficult. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, another sick and demented story airs on the crimes committed against other human beings.

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa

It’s true. I can’t change the world, but I can change for the people in my world, starting with:

  • Thanking our family, friends, neighbors and all others who are police officers, firefighters and military members. I don’t think any of these folks know how much they are loved and appreciated for what they do, every single day. And a huge shout-out to the first-responder families for their support.
  • Acknowledging people with a greeting, a nod or a smile.
  • Appreciating all forms of labor and the workers that make my life easier.
  • Trying harder to be patient with people in general, acknowledging that they may be having the worst day of their life.
  • Being kinder to others, especially when I am having a rough day.
  • Treating others as I want to be treated.
  • Being grateful for what I have.
  • Smiling more; frowning less.
  • Praying more; complaining less.

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

My faith leads me to know that out of evil, God brings good. The good that came from the evil of September 11 were the positive changes we made on September 12. I pray that we won’t wait for another horrible act to bring us together. We can bring good from evil again.

© Lynne Cobb – 2015

Did you notice a change of heart in people after the terror attacks? Let me know in the comments below.

Thoughts on Memorial Day

wpid-2012-07-04-10.19.47.jpg“All gave some; some gave all.”

It is Memorial Day weekend, a chance to have a reprieve from work, spend time with family, and, hopefully, enjoy some decent weather.

But, Memorial Day means so much more. It is the day set aside to honor our military’s fallen heroes.

As a military family, we are truly humbled by this holiday. We know the sacrifices made in order to serve. And we are in mourning with the families whose service members made the ultimate sacrifice.

Over the past few years, I have written about service and sacrifice, and compiled a few of my “reader favorites” here, complete with links. Some of these essays have been picked up by other sites, which was a real honor for me.

Please take a moment to remember our fallen heroes and their families this Memorial Day weekend. Whether you attend a parade, a service at a cemetery, or just pause for quiet reflection, know that freedom isn’t free, and we are immensely blessed by those who do serve.

Hear are some of my reader favorites:

How my husband and I spent Memorial Day with heroes.

What is it like to be a military wife?

What is the ultimate sacrifice?

On being a proud military mom.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:13 NIV

Thank you for reading this Memorial Day special edition of my blog. If you feel moved to do so, feel free to share with others. 

Do you have any special Memorial Day traditions? If so, please share in the comment section.

© Lynne Cobb – 2015

Life is a full circle

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Life is a circle

“There are patterns which emerge in one’s life, circling and returning anew, an endless variation of a theme.” – Jacqueline Carey

Isn’t it funny how life is a full circle?

I remember it so clearly, though it was almost 32 years ago. We had just gotten married, and my husband and I loaded up my not-so-cool 1980 Mustang (a sorry excuse for a “hot” set of wheels… it was the model year when one could buy a four-cylinder, fuel-efficient, nothing-under-the-hood quasi-sports car).  We were heading from Michigan to Arizona, where we’d spend a few months while my husband was in school. I was pretty excited as we set off on our new adventure. Of course there were no cell phones, GPS or any other technological conveniences that we are accustomed to having when traveling today. We tossed the bags in the trunk, grabbed the maps, said our teary goodbyes and we were on our way.

Continue reading “Life is a full circle”

Miracle At the Higher Grounds Cafe Review

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Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book to review by Family Christian.  All opinions are my own.

Two of my indulgences: good coffee and good books. I absolutely love a great cup of coffee, especially when I am reading. So I was really excited to get a copy of Max Lucado’s “Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café” to read and review. I was curious how one of my favorite authors would be able to work coffee into a Christian fiction book, but he certainly did.

I couldn’t put the book down. It was that good.

At the time, I was on bed rest for a back injury. It took me a while to find a comfortable spot where the excruciating pain would subside enough for me to hold the book. But I did – yay, me! Then I opened the book and began to read. It was almost a good thing I had the injury, because if I needed to go to work or be productive, it was not going to happen until I finished the book – which took me less than two days.

The story begins with Chelsea Chambers heading back home to Texas with her two children. She had separated from her NFL football–star husband, and had a long road ahead of her as she took over her mother’s coffee shop. Mourning the loss of her mother and marriage, Chelsea dives into her new place in life, making cupcakes and lattes and struggling to balance it all, including a large IRS payment.

Max Lucado brilliantly takes the struggles most people face in their lives – joblessness, marital strife, parenting pressures, debt, family issues, loss and more – and weaves it into this story. Just as Chelsea is about to give up hope, she hires a clumsy guy who really has her back – and he helps her run the coffee shop  and provides moral and spiritual support. He also gives the go-ahead to an Internet company who installs a free-trial Wi-Fi service that brings customers into the Higher Grounds Café in record numbers. This divine Internet connection is a direct line to God, and everyone who logs on to this connection gets the chance to ask Him one question, which He answers. Needless to say, business is booming, with lines out the door from start until close, until the night the modem is stolen.  Once again, Chelsea is faced with the worry and stress of the business failing, in addition to the pressures of single parenting, dealing with family issues and trying to decide what she will do at this point in her life in regards to her marriage and career.

I think anyone who reads this book will feel the anxiety and stress of the main character, and can easily put themselves in her shoes. She feels completely alone in her battles. But once she types in her question to God and has her “a-ha” moment, she can see that she never was alone – that God was beside her the whole time.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of this book, it is available at Family Christian stores as well as their online store. If you read this book – or have already read it, please share your comments in the section below. Happy reading!

© Lynne Cobb – 2015

From This Day Forward – A Book Review

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“As God by creation made two of one, so again by marriage He made one of two.”

 Thomas Adams

Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book to review by Family Christian.  All opinions are my own.

About a month ago, a newly-engaged young lady asked my husband and me, “What is the secret to your marriage?”

I was a little taken aback, as we have never been directly asked that before. We’ll celebrate our 32nd anniversary this August, so I guess we may look like “experts in the field.” Continue reading “From This Day Forward – A Book Review”

Before Amen – A book review

before amen“If attention deficit disorder applies to prayer, I am afflicted.” Max Lucado – Before Amen

What an honor to review Before Amen, a book by one of my favorite authors, Max Lucado.

One of the reasons I have always enjoyed Max Lucado’s books and devotionals is because he has a talent for writing the most profound messages in such an easy-to-comprehend way. He begins this book by announcing that he is a recovering prayer wimp, and admits that has dozed off while praying. He also admits that his thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again.

Though describing himself, he is also describing me. Continue reading “Before Amen – A book review”

Why It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas

Christmas tree

The decorations are up. The baking is done. Candy dishes are filled. Presents are wrapped. It is the eve of the holiday, and yet, all I hear is, “It doesn’t feel like Christmas.”

In our area of the country, there is no snow. Yet. We have a 50-50 chance that we may have a white Christmas if this depressing rain turns to snow. Is that why it doesn’t feel like Christmas? I have lived in places that it never snows, so I don’t think the icy white stuff has anything to do with the feeling.

Continue reading “Why It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas”

Happy birthday to the best mom ever!

Flower arrangement“Happy birthday to the best mom, ever!”

I remember writing those words on her birthday cards years ago. I am thrilled to be able to do so today.

Today is my mom’s 75th birthday.

Oddly enough, as I was having my morning coffee, I came across this quiz. And, as most of you know, I am addicted to taking these dang things. Being that it is my mom’s birthday, I just had to know – How Similar Are You to Your Mom?

Continue reading “Happy birthday to the best mom ever!”

September 11, 2001 – I Will Never Forget

dad's flagBut when I saw her again, we were different women than when we earlier stood talking in front of the preschool.

September 11, 2001

It was one of the most beautiful September mornings I can remember. The sky was crystal clear – not a cloud in the sky – just endless, gorgeous blue for as far as the eyes could see. The sun was warm and there was a hint of a breeze. The air smelled so fresh and sweet. Perfection – one of the few days of the year one could actually say the weather was just perfect.

I remember the day so well. It was the beginning of the school year, and our last baby – at age three – had just started preschool. A monumental time in her life as well as mine. Continue reading “September 11, 2001 – I Will Never Forget”

What is the ultimate sacrifice?

When thinking of our military, the statement “ultimate sacrifice” conjures up thoughts of dying in the line of fire.

For those of us not wearing the uniform, that truly does seem to be the ultimate sacrifice.

As a military wife and mother, “ultimate sacrifice” sends a blood-curdling chill down my spine.

Just this past week, my husband’s unit suffered an ultimate sacrifice, but it was not what anyone would have suspected.  Continue reading “What is the ultimate sacrifice?”