This post started as a response to my cousin Tom's email that he sent earlier today recalling how he remembers 9/11/2001 at the age of 9 years old. I wanted to respond and tell him what I remember from that day, but I felt compelled to share more. Because for me remembering that day is not just remembering darkness, death, and destruction. But also a day of remembering honor, hope, and LOVE. So I pray this post does just that and honors the memory of so many people and looks to the glorious future and Life to come. Here goes...
I can't help but be in awe with how much one event can effect everyone from 5 yrs old to 98 yrs old (give or take). I was in high school when this happened and even at that age I couldn't fully comprehend what all of it meant on that day. I remember exactly where I was when I heard, what I was wearing, and a few specific events of the days that followed.
I was a sophmore in high school and like every morning we had marching band practice from 7 am through 1st period. None of us had heard the news until we got into the building to go to 2nd period. People were coming up to us asking if we could believe what was happening. I remember one person told me that the World Trade Towers in New York City had been hit with a passenger airline and that it seemed that the US was being attacked. I remember distinctly (horrifically) that I laughed and said "That's a horrible joke. Why would you make something like that up?" They replied "It's not a joke!" I think I went into shock after that and remember walking into my US History/Social Studies class and sitting down around the tv to watch what was unfolding. I didn't personally know anyone directly effected but I remember a feeling of dread and horror as I watched the second plane fly into the second tower. I kept thinking this isn't real, this cant be happening. I don't vividly remember every detail from that day but I remember that it was Homecoming week and that day was the coronation day. We went about the coronation assembly as normal but were told that every other homecoming event would be post-poned. I know that prayer is no longer allowed in school but I remember specifically praying multiple times through out the day during classes, and we had a moment of silence in the assembly as well.
I know more things happened that day but those are the images burned in my memory. Although, I couldn't fully comprehend everything that happened that day, I began to better understand it in the days, weeks, and years to follow. My generation was to be the generation to fight back. My school classmates, my college classmates, friends, and family were to be the people; the men and women, who would bravely volunteer for active duty to fight in a war that would go on for years. I remember for the first time learning truly what war was and sitting up with my roommate in college as she cried for fear that her high school sweatheart/boyfriend would not come home from Iraq; and then months later that her sister wouldn't. Thankfully both came home! I remember skyping with friends as they were deployed over seas and praying that God would bring them home safely. Although, I didn't lose anyone close to me that day in the towers, in the field in Pennsylvania, or in the Pentagon; I was and am greatly effected by the events as I watched those I loved go off to war.
We live in a horrific and broken world full of sin and pain, but I've noticed that in darkest times you see the brightest Hope. Many died that day, and in the years to come in a war none of us could predict would ever happen. But in the midst of it all I see what Martin Luther King Jr. mean't when he said "But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."
Only in the darkest of time do you see true love, in that many gave up their lives for their fellow man, woman, and child. Many heroically fought that day, and in the years to come to protect all of us. To protect us, those who go about our daily life wishing that our days were not so mundane. Even now, we forget that our mundane daily lives are precious miracles provided to us at the ultimate sacrifice of others. It makes me sad when I think to myself 'I really need a kindle, or I really need new clothes, or I wish it was the weekend so I could do this or that.' I take each day for granted and forget that each day of my freedom comes at a great cost to others. They're truly living out 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what Love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." and John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
Many died and continue to do just that.. but it's not just for one's friends. They're laying down their life for strangers, for people who (myself included) forget how much our Freedom costs. So, today and everyday I pray that I not only remember 9/11, my service men and women, police force, firefighters, EMTS, etc; for they saved my life; but that today and everyday I pray I remember that Jesus laid down his life so that I may have Life.
Our country united on that day and I cannot wait to be united again with all those amazing men and women in Heaven rejoicing in glorious Hope and Love; because no matter how hard Satan tries to attack and no matter how dark it gets we have Hope and Life through faith in Christ Jesus. Sin has lost it's power, death has lost it's sting. Because Jesus rose victoriously.
So thank you to ALL who sacrifice it all, who work day in and day out to protect, serve, and save our lives!!!!! May God bless you and keep you!! And thank you to all those who grieve the lose of loved ones on that day, and in the years that have followed. I pray you find peace and comfort and that one day you will be reunited with your loved ones in Heaven; and know that the pain and tears of this earth are washed away and no more.
May God Bless you, and May God Bless America!
No comments:
Post a Comment