Sunday, September 11, 2011

Remembering

As I sit here watching the real time replay of NBC's coverage of the morning of September 11, 2001, I can't help but be overcome with many of the same emotions I felt on that day.

In September of 2001, I was a ninth grader who was still adjusting to a move from a small private Christian school to a slightly larger school. Due to class scheduling, I had been separated from the friends who had moved to the same school with me. Starting high school is tough enough, but when you have to do it on your own, it's even harder.

I remember standing in the hallway waiting to get into my Mississippi History class after our morning break. I was aggravated because the coach that taught our class was late again which meant I was stuck in a hallway full of people and completely by myself. In the classroom I was safe; my desk and books served as a sort of home base or shield. In the classroom you were supposed to be paying attention and working. I didn't have to worry about making friends then; I could hide behind the school work. So I definitely wanted to get in the classroom.

Then, our football coach came barrelling down the hall announcing what had happened. We were all stunned. By the time we heard the news both of the twin towers had been hit and one or both had already fallen; the Pentagon had already been struck, and Flight 93 had already crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. I remember our headmaster coming over the intercom and telling us what had happened and praying for our country. My concerns about myself and dealing with my new environment completely vanished. I quickly realized how much bigger this world is than me and my insecurities.

We stayed at school the rest of the day. Everyone wondered why we didn't dismiss school early, but none of us knew what to do even if we did. I don't remember what school work, if any, we got done that day. Our minds and hearts were all somewhere else. I remember worrying about my mother because I knew she was at work worrying about my family. I wondered who would come to pick my sister and me up from school--if it would be my mom or dad, or if my grandmother would pick us up as planned.

That afternoon, when we got to my grandmother's house, I was glued to the television. There was no new information. All the stations were just replaying to footage of the attacks and reading and re-reading statements from government officials as well as showing coverage of President Bush who had been out of Washington, D.C. that morning. My grandmother and sister didn't want to watch, but I couldn't not watch. I had already become a news/politics junkie, but this was bigger than that. I was searching for answers.

After my dad had picked up my brother, sister and me and taken us home, I still hadn't found what I was looking for. President Bush made it back to D.C. before the end of the day and addressed the nation from the Oval Office that night. It was so reassuring to see him in that place--to know that our country was shaken but not broken and that there would be justice. I remember going to bed that night wondering what further attacks could be coming.

It's been ten years now and much has happened. The terrorists haven't been eradicated, but many of their efforts have been thwarted. The war on terrorism will never be over. Both sides will have their victories, but I know that in the end good prevails over evil. And that is the answer I was looking for that day. We live in a fallen, sinful world. Bad things will happen--and to good people. But redemption is coming for those who hope in the Lord.

To truly always remember the events of that day is to remember how important it is for our nation to stand as a united people--as One Nation Under God. America, honor God, and you will know His blessings.

II Chronicles 7:13-15
Ephesians 6: 10-18