Stunning Testimony
A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on
Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.
His name was Robert Matthews.. These are his words:
"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to
have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her
sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my
wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both
heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I
replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight
We were very upset. We drove home. Soon, I received a call from my
father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was,
but I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that
her flight was the one that crashed into The southern tower. I was too
shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to
help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do
something.'
I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never
given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made
up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my
Grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he
died while helping in the rescue effort.
My joy over the safety of my wife began to turn into anger. I was angry
at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years
blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his
grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say
good-bye.
Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home
with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at
my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door
to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my
father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was.. He quickly grabbed
my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is
an honor to meet his son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center
and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had
been buried under debris. He then explained that my father had been the
one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I
thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said,
'there is something else you need to know.'
His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked
to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know
that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to
welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves."
When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of
the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize this: God is always faithful. We
may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of
heaven, but God is ALWAYS faithful.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever.
