My wife Andrea and I were in New York City on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We felt somber and reverent as we walked around the memorial pools, which sit in the footprints of the former Twin Towers. The names of the victims, engraved in bronze around the pools, were adorned with fresh roses.
As traffic passed and people hurried by, I was struck by how life moves forward even after the worst tragedies. I pondered how much has changed since that horrifying day 25 years ago.
I was also reminded of Isaiah’s promise that God can give us “beauty for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). Rising beside the 9/11 memorial today stands One World Trade Center, even taller and brighter than the original towers. At 1,776 feet, its height reflects the year the Declaration of Independence was signed. To me, it’s a powerful symbol of resilience.
We can’t control every hardship that comes into our lives, but we can choose how we respond. When we move forward with faith, adversity can produce growth, strength, and even beauty we could not have imagined beforehand.
Think of how much our nation has grown through countless ups and downs since 1776. As we’ve celebrated its 250th anniversary this year, I’ve often reflected on how much I owe to those who sacrificed to preserve the freedom and peace we enjoy today.
The world will always give us reasons to worry, but history also gives us countless reasons to hope. When it comes to our country, our families, our businesses, or our investments, progress rarely happens in a straight line. Hardship is part of every meaningful journey. Despite the difficulties we have faced and will yet face, I remain grateful for the past and optimistic about what lies ahead.
