On September 11, 2001, Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell (from U.S. Army Headquarters) had just stepped into a Pentagon hallway when the fireball from the hijacked plane hit him. After recovering from the initial shock, Birdwell realized he was on fire. "Jesus, I’m coming to see you," he remembers praying. When doctors finally attended to him at the Washington Burn Center, they found second- and third-degree burns over 40 percent of Birdwell’s body. To save him, they performed several skin graft operations. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush visited the Washington Burn Center on September 13. Among those they visited was Birdwell. Laura Bush went into Brian’s room and spoke to him for about a minute, all the time as if they were life-long acquaintances. She then turned to Brian’s wife, Mel, who had been at the hospital for about two-and-a-half days. She was dirty, grimy, and wore a bloodstained shirt. Despite this, Laura hugged her for what Mel said seemed like an eternity, just as if Mel was one of her closest family members. Laura then told Brian and Mel that there was "someone" there to see him. The President walked in. Standing by Brian’s bedside, the President told Colonel Birdwell that he was very proud of them both and regarded them as heroes. The President then saluted Brian. Brian slowly began to return the salute, taking about 15 to 20 seconds to get his hand up to his head because of his bandaged arms. During all of this, President Bush never moved. He dropped his salute only when Brian was finished with his. Birdwell lives now with renewed purpose. "I’m a walking miracle. Christ got me out of the fire. In him not taking me, that means I have a mission to complete. He’ll tell me what it is in due time."²

As we remember the life-changing events that happened on September 11^th,, let us find ways to focus on the goodness of God. Many times, it is

hard to do during difficult times, but even in those moments, God is there, and he is still good. His love for us does not end and we can be his light to this hurting world through the ways we live out His goodness to others. We may not know what he is calling us to do at the moment, but we can have a renewed purpose and sense of hope in Christ.

Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you that in the midst of painful situations or life-changing events, you still have a purpose for me, and your purpose is always good. Allow me to focus on your goodness, grace, and the hope you bring, then share these things with others as well. Help me be a presence of peace wherever I go. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1. 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT).

2. www.sermoncentral.com

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.