All Things Southern

Shellie Rushing Tomlinson

The sun isn't always shining when friends meet on the front porch to visit, but we reach for that fellowship to somehow break through the gloom. And so it is this morning as I meet you, my new friends, on my cyber porch for our weekly visit.

I struggled with sending an issue out this week in the face of the pain and sorrow facing our nation. Can I be honest? For a moment I worried that with such a brand-new readership, my little publication might not survive skipping an issue so soon...and you have all been so loyal and kind to read the previous issues and pass them on. And then I immediately felt horrible about such a terribly selfish train of thought.

"All Things Southern" was born to be a celebration, and clearly, it is impossible to celebrate the South as our nation reels from the blows of her enemy.

For that reason, you won't find many of our lighter features in today's issue. Those features will remain silent in respect to our fallen Americans. Only this column, the "Southern Quote", the "Southern Comfort" and the "Southern Exchange" will be updated at www.allthingssouthern.com/

As I attempt to add my words to those of all the t.v. anchors, journalists, and leaders of our nation, I feel wholly inadequate. Words fail...plans fail...buildings fall...and lives are lost--but the spirit survives. And this is where my thoughts turn today.

As Tuesday's incredible events unfolded I was struck over and over by the strength and beauty of the human spirit. I heard of nurses and doctors in New York who worked throughout the day and into the night trying to save the lives of their fellow Americans; though many of them were married to NYC firemen and policemen and could get no word on whether their own spouses were dead or alive.

I watched the faces of relief workers and saw the compassion and love sending them in and out of those burning, unstable buildings--each of them fully aware they were risking their own lives. A risk from which it now seems many did not survive.

So what was I seeing? I believe we saw the best and the worst of mankind Tuesday. We saw an evil that is immortal, that resides in human souls, but comes from another realm.

And the best? We saw in each compassionate touch, in each act of love and sacrifice, the characteristics of another immortal power--the Omnipotent One--our God, who will one day put an end to the evil in this world.

I believe His heart aches with ours, but He has given people free reign now, on this earth, to choose between His great love and the evil of His enemy.

I pray that today you will be able to turn from the horror, the evil and pain, to lean against the chest of the ONE who sits on the throne.

Until next week...

With sincere thoughts and prayers,
Shellie

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"It's Been Said..."

A poignant quote from President George W. Bush, the leader of our great nation, spoken to the families of the victims.