9/11

Along with everyone else this morning, I am remembering where I was 11 years ago on this morning. I was sitting in Coach Roughly's 9th grade Government class. I remember he got an email from the principle that told us to turn on our TV's around 9 am. There was silence as we began watching... at first thinking that a horrible tragedy had occurred as a plane had gotten off of route and crashed into one of the twin towers... and then I remember just minutes later as we watched live as the second tower was hit... and we realized it wasn't an accident. I think this is the most memorable historical day in my lifetime. I remember crying at our church that night as we met for prayer for our country. It just didn't make sense. I remember the clothes I wore that day and that I was worried about my dad and bf (now husband) who were working at the Wal-Mart home office that day because there was some talk about it being a possible target. I remember my mom picking me up from school, hugging me tightly and there still just being silence. No words to say.

As a 15 year old, it was hard to comprehend. As a 26 year old, it is still hard to comprehend. I have been to ground zero twice in the past ten years. I didn't get the pleasure of visiting NYC before 9/11... but the first time that I visited was just two years after it happened. There was still rubble everywhere and an eerie feeling of loss. There are really no words to describe the feeling you get when you go there.

Those terrorists took something from us that day, but I hope we all remember what we gained. I think in the months, maybe even years following 9/11, our country banded together and was unified. I think we've gotten away from that, but we should strive to remember so all those people didn't die in vain. I see all of the craziness surrounding the current election and all of the arguing and bashing... and one of the many things I love about the USA is freedom of speech, but I want us to remember those days and weeks spent in prayer, where our nation turned to God. What a special time that was.

Our church and small group are reading and studying the book "One Month to Live" by Kerry and Chris Shook. It is challenging us to live our lives like we knew we only had 30 days to live. We are just starting it but I can already see the Lord working in my life. I don't even know for sure that I have 30 days, the people who died on 9/11 were going to work just like every other day. I want my life to make a lasting impact... I want to live a life of no regrets.

So today, as we remember that day 11 years ago, I hope we don't necessarily remember the horrible men that took so many lives, but I hope we remember those who lost their lives, unexpectedly, and I hope we remember those months when our country turned to God.

And I hope more than anything else it reminds us to live our lives radically with no regrets.