Strength Forged Through Sacrifice

No one will ever forget the complete devastation of Sept. 11th. Not only were buildings destroyed, but the lives of many people were completely blown apart and forever changed.

A little over eight years later on November 2, 2009 the USS New York LPD-21 was paraded into New York harbor and commissioned.  The most unique characteristic of this ship is that 7.5 tons of the World Trade Center steel was treated and smelted for use in the ship’s bow. The bow’s stem is the foremost portion of the ship where it cuts through the water and offers hull integrity. “The significance of where the WTC steel is located on the 684-foot-long ship symbolizes the strength and resiliency of the citizens of New York as it sails forward around the world,” said Commander Quentin King. “It sends a message of America becoming stronger as a result, coming together as a country and ready to move forward as we make our way through the world.“

When Hurricane Katrina pounded the New Orleans area, it disrupted construction of the ship. Serious damage was escaped and workers were back in the area within weeks continuing construction until completion.

The mottos of this ship are STRENGTH FORGED THROUGH SACRIFICE and NEVER FORGET.

Most people would not consider the death of a husband as a sacrifice in a widow’s life. Yet, if you were to ask that widow, she would be quick to tell you it was a sacrifice of the plans she had for her life as a wife of the man she loved. It was an unplanned and unwanted sacrifice.

If that widow is an intentional widow who, though shattered to pieces and knocked down, has the strength to face her grief and do her grief work, the bow of her ship of life will be able to cut through the waters with integrity. Her life will be a symbol to other widows that they CAN get back up in time and become stronger. They CAN be resilient even when Hurrican Katrinas blow in at times and try to knock them back down.

May the bow of the ship of my life continue to be strengthened. How about you? What can you tell me about how God is taking the pieces of broken steel in your life and forging them into something stronger?