Bigotry is not a Christian value . . .

I WILL WALK FORWARD
(in remembrance of September 11, 2001)

I will walk forward
from this moment in time,
but this moment will never be far
away from me;
I will take up the task of living
each day, mixed with the pain of
the images of horror I see.
With so much mourning in so many
hearts there seems to be no room
for a personal grief—
Bitter tears threaten to fall at almost
any time
as a nation,
as a people,
as a person cannot find relief.

I will walk forward from this moment in time,
searching for some shred of yesterday’s song
Clutching at memories of those
who are gone, trying to move them
out of the shadows of the wrong;
Looking for light to drive out the spectre
of the evil hanging over our hearts
so we can be strong;
Searching for answers in images of
twisted steel,
rubble and smoke,
knowing it doesn’t belong.

I will walk forward from this moment in time
praising God for all those who did not die;
Being thankful for those who placed a call
to loved ones and friends with a final goodbye.
No words can describe the helpless feelings inside or
push away the darkness of fear from the sky;
But I know God is wanting to comfort and heal,
so I’ll tell Him I’m angry and know He hears my cry.

I will walk forward from this moment in time
with an anger that’s risen and refuses to fall—
Wanting to lash out at those faceless criminals
and make them suffer the pain they caused us all.
But I don’t want to be like them in any way,
so I’ll look to the heavens where God hears my call
and beg Him to touch me and heal my sore being
and guide us to the course where we can stand tall.

As I walk forward from this moment in time,
I ask above all, God, that you open our eyes—That we might not be guilty of doing what’s wrong or of doing what’s worse than those we loudly criticize;
That from the ashes, love will grow–
hate spawn forgiveness;
from meaningless violence,
commitment to all heart cries;
For it is only in sharing, loving
and giving ourselves that our hearts are cleansed and demons exorcised.

God, help me walk forward from this moment in time;
help me to not ever forget what’s happened here.
Help me remember that hate drove these people—
that someone believed they had to throw the spear.
Hold my heart close to yours, God, so love overflows
and constantly reminds me You’re bigger than my fear.
Remind me that as long as one person is harmed
because of being different from another—You shed a tear.

I will
walk
forward
as a part of this moment in time . . .

Sunday—September 16, 2001
Jeanne Hicks Barnett—Searcy, Arkansas