Let me tell you, blog family, I found oodles of inspiration from New York City during my last visit in December. Like NYC, we rise from the ashes.
The History
I haven’t been back to the city much since I moved away in 2008. Moreover, this was my first visit to the Freedom Tower and the Memorial to the World Trade Center victims (obviously, with the obligatory shopping excursion to Century21 across the street.)
I moved to New York City in 2002 after I graduated from PA school to enroll in a physician assistant residency. I visited the World Trade Center site on one of my first trips to New York City when I went to find an apartment.
At the time, bulldozers hauled rubble out from the two giant, battered holes where the buildings had formally stood. I looked through a gap in the tarp strapped to the chain-link fence, mesmerized by the sheer magnitude of the catastrophe.
Sadness filled the air and I could feel the despair press down on my shoulders. Ribbons, flowers, and posters decorated the chain link fence to commemorate those who died, personal tributes poured out by surviving family and friends. Thoughts of lives forever altered by the terrorist attack brought me to tears.
All Things New
This trip was different. I witnessed New York City, like a phoenix, rise from the ashes and inspire me.
The Freedom Tower stands shining and tall. A windowed, porcupine shaped structure covers the underground mall area that links the tower with various methods of transportation. I rode the escalator and listened to the futuristic voice guide me down to my destination (reminding me of movies about colonies in space).
The white walls gleamed and shone. Sunlight streaming down from the windows played on the multiple levels of storefronts and the holiday decorations.
Outside, two deep, square, dug out fountains flow where the two twin towers had previously stood. Along the ledge are carved the names of every victim. White roses sporadically pop up amongst the names. The Freedom Tower stands guard in the sunlight as a reminder of all that passed.
But, there was something else.
Rise from the Ashes
The Freedom Tower serves not only as a reminder of what happened on 9/11 but as a tribute to the spirit of New York City and of this country. Where once rubble had littered the area, now stood beauty beyond what had been there before.
What a lesson we can learn to rise from the ashes like New York City! We all have rough spots in our lives, bad situations, or difficult circumstances that have beaten us down at times. Events may have occurred which are horrible or even unimaginable.
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5 ESV).
But, like the city, we too have a choice of whether to remain in the rubble or to build something beautifully new. It’s been 10 or 11 years since I’ve last seen the site. So, change and restoration take time. They are not instantaneous. But, the work is worth it.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).
As I paused in the plaza looking at the fountains, I was proud to be American. It’s not that I’m not always proud, but like anything, it’s easy to take our rights for granted. But, at that moment, I stood in awe of everything our country has built and stands for.
Nice job, New York.
Love, K.
PS- need help to step forward? Check out my series on finding your purpose.
The only time I went to New York was seven years ago, and they weren’t finished with the construction yet. I’d love to go back and see it! I love that God Himself builds something new and beautiful out of our ruins.
Heather, I found it very moving and encouraging!
Kelly, Thank you for this beautiful and uplifting message. Like many Americans, I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard of the attacks. Such a tragic time and so many lives lost. But, as we “rose from the ashes” then and continue to do so during all the major trials of our life, we know that God is with us because He is “trustworthy and true.” Thank you for sharing inspiration and hope today.
I remember what I was doing, too. It was amazing to see how the area is rebuilt yet still commemorates those who were lost.