Boy have I been busy. The past three days I’ve been in the mountains at Ridgecrest. It was my pleasure to speak to the trustee’s wives of LifeWay. They are a great group of women who love the Lord and serve Him faithfully. All I know is I came to bless, but I got the blessing!
LifeWay and their staff truly have a heart for spreading the gospel and making Christ known through all generations. One thing is clear about this bunch. As Believers in this world, we should always be about the cause of Christ. Can I get an “A-men!”
Since today is 9-11, I’m also reminded that we should be about another cause—the cause of our country. I’m so thankful and proud of those who have given their lives for our country and for those who serve her today. I’m also saddened today as I think about those who lost loved ones when the twin towers were struck by terrorists. It’s my prayer that the God of all comfort would ease their pain by His abiding presence. I also pray that we would not forget this day. It was a day that changed us forever. At least it changed me.
I find that I’m more patriotic than I was before 9-11. Tears fill my eyes every time I hear our National Anthem played or sung. As I stand with one hand over my heart and my eyes gazing respectfully at our country’s flag, I say a prayer. “May She forever wave over a land that is free and protected by the merciful hand of God.”
I also have a new found love for my country. Perhaps it was there all along and I just took it for granted. Isn’t that what happens when tragedy strikes? It causes us to realize just how important something is or how much someone meant to us. For that I’m grateful. As Americans we should be proud of our country—to the point it brings us to tears.
I’m curious. Do you remember where you were on 9-ll when you first heard about the devastating news? Do you recall how it made you feel? Has it changed you? If so, how?
“Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord.” PS 33:12
On Purpose says
When I think about 9-11 today and where I was 7 years ago…I ask myself…and God…have I changed…has my heart changed? Today I am thinking and praying with urgency that I am doing my part as a believer to spread the love of Jesus to those around me, because we don’t know when “the time” will come. We might not get a second chance to share the love with someone!
Micca, you deserve to be blessed, for you bless us all with your obedience to God and allowing Him to speak through you!
Love and prayers for you and your family!
Laurie says
I was teaching first grade and was unaware that anything had happened until a parent came and checked out their child. I remember that I just wanted to be with my family. I wanted my husband and child in my arms.
After I had time to process what had happened I found comfort in knowing that my God was still on His throne. Even in the midst of the unnerving craziness, God was still in control.
I love my Country and I too cry at anything Patriotic. 9-11 also gave me a new appreciation for firefighters and the amazing service they provide.
elaine @ peace for the journey says
I remember exactly where I was…in my den watching the tv with a toddler running around. My parents were in Russia and my husband was on the road to a conference, and I called him. He turned around.
I think that 9-11 connected me to a world larger than mine. To an awareness of evil that had been contained in my thoughts but not chewed on as a possible reality.
9-11 awoke my heart and spirit to an urgency about getting my “junk” together and moving forward with purpose.
I pause, alongside you today, to remember. It’s a worthy pause.
peace~elaine
Shane says
Yes, I remember distinctly where I was. My family was on vacation in Michigan. My mom, sister and I had taken my baby out for a morning jog. We passed by a home that was having some work done and heard the radio playing. I thought I overheard a serious news story about planes crashing in the area and I just knew we had to get back to the cabin to turn on the news. For the rest of the day we were glued to the TV. By 5pm when the local channels started to take back control for the local news we just couldn’t stand it anymore, and turned it off. I was so glad to be with the people I love the most when the tradegy struck. It really wasn’t until we got home after our vacation and got back into the “normal” routine that the weight of the events started to make their impact. That memory will be forever etched in my mind.
Dana says
Just tonight my husband and I curled up in our bed and watched some scenes from 9/11 on the History Channel. It brought back all the memories of the terrifying event. I was 6 months pregnant with our daughter on September 11, 2001. I was sitting in our living room folding the day's laundry when my normal TV show was interrupted with footage of the Twin Towers. There was still a lot of confusion as to what exactly had happened, but everyone was glued to something…watching & waiting. Then the second plane hit and chaos followed. My heart sank, I wondered if these people would live or die. There as footage of people jumping from the Towers (or falling..no one is sure which). Before I realized what was happening, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them, didn't really want to either. Then the unthinkable happened…the Towers collasped…One right after the other…It was truly the most horrifying thing I've ever seen (TV or not!) I clutched my belly and sobbed. What things would my darling child endure in her lifetime? What was going to happen to all the children who lost a parent? What about the families? OH, how terrible. For the first time in many years of my life, I prayed. I prayed dilligently.
Has it changed me? Certainly. I am very thankful to be here in America. Mainly because I have the freedom to worship God openly and honestly. Those soldiers fight for me to have that right and I pray them and their families. We like many others, personally knew people who went to war for this country. We have had many opportunities to ask them why they chose such a profession steeped in risk….their answers are almost always the same…For my family to be free!
Amen my sister that we are free in Christ! He is our freedom! And amen for those who are willing to serve this country in war and peace to secure that Freedom!
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
Oh girl yes it changed me. I was actually 8 mos pregnant with my first one. We heard about a plane crashing into one of the towers on our way in and thought it was a small plane maybe and thought that was so strange. Well, we later found out what really happened. I really just thought about this world we live in and how could this happen to a country like ours. It is humbling and a sobering wake up call. There is much evil in the world. It was hard thinking of bringing a child into a world like this and kicked up my prayer life.
I cannot believe it has been 7 years.
MUch love,
Angela
Thumperkin's musings says
I was holding my 18 month old daughter in my lap, trying to put on my make-up. For whatever reason, I was not working that day. The tv was on (yes, in the bathroom…don’t ask). I was watching the Today Show and I saw the second plane hit the world trade center. My father-in-law came into my bathroom (he NEVER came into our master suite) and told me about the Pentagon. It was an eerie, scary day. I have 3 friends from college who have gone to war since then and a guy from my Adult Bible Fellowship class as well. I am definitely more patriotic.