The horrifying events of the past weeks have grieved us all. We've observed the pain and questions in the eyes of those whose faces we've seen in the non-stop coverage on our televisions. We've cried until it seems we might run out of tears. Who would do such a hideous thing? How could something so appalling happen on our shores? We thought our nation had already experienced her darkest days in the losses of past wars. Now, the new low mark has been set in our generation.

Questions flood our thoughts, and we're hard-pressed to find answers. What kind of answer is there to account for this level of wickedness? As a result, the search for answers has filled our churches with persons who are exploring the realm of the Spirit, many for the first time. This is much too heavy a weight for us to shoulder alone. Surely there is someone bigger to help us.

There is indeed Someone who can carry that load-and carry us as well-through the "valley of the shadow of death." It is only through His presence that we can declare, "I will fear no evil."

When we stare this kind of wickedness in the eye, life is reduced to those things that ultimately matter. As the morning began on September 11, 2001, the things that seemed to matter most to the people of America were wealth, education, status, and power. After the attack, something changed forever for us. Thousands of the most wealthy, highly educated, well-respected, powerful people in the world were plunged into the black hole of terrorism. Those things didn't matter to them at the moment the jets slammed into their towers. It didn't matter what they owned or who they knew in that split second.

I tried to imagine what I would have felt, what would have been important to me, if I had been on one of those planes or in one of their targets. It wouldn't have been any of the things I've thought were so important before. My last thoughts wouldn't have been the value of my stock portfolio or the salary I make. I wouldn't have taken a glance out the window to see if my car was protected. I wouldn't have been concerned about my degrees or awards. No, my last thoughts would have been about my true treasures.

My last thoughts would have been about my wife, my sons, my grandchildren. Like many of those on the plane and in the doomed towers, I would have wanted to call and tell them of my love-to say goodbye. Since that day, I've looked at them a little differently. I've held them more tenderly. I've tried to say, "I love you" more often. They are my treasures.

I would have thought of my cherished friends. People who have walked with me through the joys and sorrows of my life and have loved me through it all. My heart would be sad at the thought of not seeing them again. I would have prayed to my Lord, who has been my best Friend, and begged Him for protection, not so much because I feared death, but because I loved life.

I've been working on a new song for several weeks. I had written and rewritten several verses, but still was not satisfied. On Wednesday, September 12, I finished it. It all seemed to be much clearer. See if you can find your treasures in these words.

The Treasures that I Hold

A loving touch- a warm embrace-
A gentle smile to start my day.
A love that never goes away
Adorns my life.
A quiet walk beside a stream.
The time to laugh and pray and dream,
And know the best is yet to be
As years go by.

Chorus

Jesus said it best when He said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I plan to spend the rest of my life treasure hunting.