I’ve been highlighting Whispering Woods, my book about a Victorian Inn and resort in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on Fridays. From my about to be published sequel, Winter Wonderland, here is an encounter chapter about Phil and a new friend, Todd, who meet after 9.11, volunteering at St. Paul’s Trinity Church after the towers fell.
“In one of those Godincidences, Heather’s husband, Todd Anderson volunteered at St. Paul’s Trinity Church, the epicenter of recovery efforts at ground zero, and met Phil during the days following the tragedy. They got to talking about “What’s next?” and Phil mentioned his new business idea. Discovering that Todd was a Christian, they formed an instant bond with each other. When they stood, exhausted, serving food to the firemen and hundreds of volunteers, they took a short break, went to the chapel, and prayed together.
Phil began, “Lord, we are new friends, servants in this place. Use us, strengthen us, point us to those who need us and You the most, be with those who grieve, be with those who wait for a good word about their loved ones, and give us direction so we can accomplish your purpose in this dark night.
“Show us the path You wish us to follow. Make our testimony to Your Sovereignty strong, and show us the understanding we need to make sense of this tragedy.
In the Name of Jesus, our Lord. Amen.”
“So, Phil, I take it your place is gone? What are ya gonna to do?”
“Todd, do ya believe when God shuts one door He opens another?”
“He always has for me. Why?”
“Well, saw a business proposal the other night, Monday night to be specific. Can’t get over the timing. Cathy and I weren’t really looking to change our life. We had things pretty good. Great jobs, gorgeous condo, beautiful kids, bright future. Tuesday morning changed all that. My business place is a wreck, broken windows, debris, the whole nine yards, and my two-million dollar condo is in shambles. It’s like, ya know, this is a crossroads I can’t ignore. My team is scattered, in three states, tryin’ to cope with what’s happened to us and their friends and families. Thinkin’ I could always work remotely, I suppose, but now I have a choice; this opportunity just dropped out of the sky, and I’m excited about what’s next. I’m just here today to try to salvage what’s left and head upstate.”
“Well, my story’s not quite so dramatic,” says Todd. I work about eight blocks north on Wall Street. Corporate office. Anyway, we do conventions, trade shows, set design, ad venues, stuff like that, urban landscaping… ya know, creating green space, softening straight lines you guys like to design. Anyway, home’s near White Plains. That’s where most of my nursery growers and suppliers are. So I kinda live a commuter, schizophrenic lifestyle, one boot here, one boot there. Tolerate it now. Guess I’ll hate it in twenty years. Pays the bills, ya know.
“Anyway, just had to come here to help out. Don’t know what all this means for me. Puts stuff in perspective in a quick hurry, I’ll tell ya. Predicting the financial impact’s gonna to be swift and tragic. Think of the insurance losses. Gad, could cripple the economy. Ya know, if we try to retaliate, who knows who we’ll shoot first? Patriotism’s alive and well at the moment, but I hope we won’t hear invading armies and seek revenge. Do we even know who the enemy is? C’mon. It’s a stinkin’ mess. Everything’s so uncertain at this point.”
“Well, Todd, I’ve always known God is in charge. He’ll give us the insight we need. I know Cathy and I have prayed about this thing I saw Monday night. Puttin’ all our cracked eggs in one basket. We’re leavin’, headin’ to Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Gonna open a resort and retreat center on 160 acres of land I’m buyin’ from the guy who’s mentored me in business for many years. It’ll take God’s grace and lotsa work—can’t be just coincidence we saw it, right before this mess. Can’t be. I call it Godincidence! Sure got my attention! Tell ya what. Let me have your address, and I’ll send ya stuff. Hey, who knows, maybe we’ll meet again. Maybe we could even do business together. Ya never know!”
About the Author
