Bec's Blog

by Pastor Bec

September 2026

25% of current Americans had not even been born yet on September 11, 2001.

For the other 75%, it was a day of horror and terror unlike anything anyone had ever experienced in this country before. Especially if you were an adult. And especially if you were at the World Trade Center New York, NY; or at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va; or a rural field in Somerset County, Penn. Or had a family member in the airlines (or were traveling by air on that fateful day).

Two hijacked planes (American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175) struck the Twin Towers, in NYC, causing both to collapse. There was catastrophic damage to the entire World Trade Center and surrounding lower Manhattan, resulting in almost 3,000 deaths. (2,977 to be exact.)

A third hijacked plane (American Airlines Flight 77) was flown into the western side of the Pentagon, resulting in 184 deaths.

The 4th highjacked plane was taken over by the passengers, preventing the plane from reaching its intended target, which was believed to be the U.S. Capitol or White House. All 40 passengers and crew members on board that heroic flight were killed.

As we commemorated the 25th anniversary of this solemn day this year, one of my daily devotional journals had the following Bible verse: “…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (NKJV)

In meditating on this verse, and going deeper with it, I looked up the original language (Hebrew) meaning for “endure.” I was intrigued to discover it is the word, “lodge.” Weeping lodges! That heartbreak we endure, that sadness we experience, doesn’t just sit with us, it actually tries to lodge itself deep within us!

Anyone who has struggled with depression, or gone through the various phases of grief, understands the truth of this statement. This implies that our feelings of sadness, or “weeping,” aren’t just a passing emotion. Other Hebrew definitions of this word, “lun,” or “lalun,” mean “abide,” “remain,” or “dwell.”

These words, especially “dwell,” remind me of Jesus’ teaching in John 15 about the Vine and the branches. John 15:5 reads, “I am the Vine and you are the branches. If a person remains, (or dwells, or abides) in Me and I in them, they will bear much fruit.

Once we have experienced enough of “weeping” lodging within us, we can choose to turn to the indwelling Presence of Christ’s Holy Spirit to bring us comfort, strength, hope and encouragement! The antidote to heartache is dwelling, or lodging, in Christ!

This goes along with focusing on “His face” rather than “the waves,” as Peter discovered in Matthew 14:22-33. As long as his eyes were on Jesus, standing on top of the water, he was doing great. Once he let the worry of the stormy waves surrounding him take his eyes off His Savior, he was sunk. Literally.

The same is true for us. The next time you experience heartache, the next time sadness tries lodging in your spirit for longer than is good for you, try turning to Christ. Put on that worship music which is all about Him. Invite His very Presence into yourself once more with His Holy Spirit. Read verse after verse of God’s Word, which is like a healing balm to the soul as well. It really will make a difference. In fact, it will replace pain with His Presence, Peace and Power.

Yes, weeping endures for a night… but joy comes in the morning. And the definition of that joy is another word which starts with J… Jesus!