CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming

conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

-- Abraham Lincoln

This is not a column I’ve looked forward to writing. There are no

words, sentences or paragraphs that can begin to touch the magnitude of

how life has changed so dramatically in such a short amount of time.

Our world as a whole and our individual lives will not be the same.

Life has changed. It is my prayer that somehow, in some way, something

can change for the better.

More specifically, that each of us can make changes for the better.

That each of us would value the preciousness of life. That each of us

would do our part to overcome evil with good. That each of us pray.

Like each one of you, I will always remember where I was when I first

heard about Tuesday’s unbelievable evil acts of terrorism. The minute the

phone rang early in the morning, I knew something was wrong. It was my

sister-in-law Kelly calling from Atlanta.

“Cindy, turn on your television,” she said, filling me in briefly on

the tragic events. Then her voice started cracking, “And pray, Cindy,

pray.”

While turning on the television, the phone rang again. This time it

was our daughter Amy, who is studying in Spain.

“Mom, people are talking to me in Spanish about what happened,” she

said. “I understand the words, but it doesn’t make any sense. What’s

going on?”

I filled her in and at the close of our conversation, all I could say

was, “I love you honey. And please pray.”

My daughter Kelly and I watched in horror the same scenes that you

watched on television. The words “unfathomable” and “horrific” don’t even

begin to describe what unfolded, and unfortunately what too many

thousands experienced firsthand.

Even while watching it on television, it was hard to believe it’s

real. As many have said, “It’s surreal.”

I could only watch for so long, and then I went on a walk to pray. I

passed one friend who was obviously doing the same thing.

“This is the time to unite in prayer,” she said. And she is right. I

started to say something, but couldn’t.

It makes no sense, and it feels like anything I write will be trite in

light of the terror and tragedy. But it is real, and we must pray. There

are all the obvious prayers for finding more people alive, healing for

the injured and that somehow God could comfort those who lost loved ones.

I pray that God would bless those who have done all they can to search

for survivors and those who have donated blood, food, shelter or whatever

was needed.

I pray that each of us realize that life and liberty are precious and

we need to do our own part to mend relationships and reach out to one

another.

I pray that each of us would turn to God and invite him to rule in our

lives, as well as our nation.

I pray for wisdom and God’s guidance for our nation’s leaders as they

determine the course of this country. As many are discussing a call to

arms, may each of us respond in a call to our knees.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.