Remembering September 11th

Today is a day that will forever be etched in my memory. It is more than just images, it is emotion, pain, sadness, grief, and loss. Today is the 15th anniversary of 9/11. I can't remember this day without tears. I know exactly where I was when I first heard the news....I was driving on the 55 freeway in Orange County, California, exiting at 4th Street on my way to work. It was early in the morning and still pretty dark out. I randomly turned the radio on as I exited the freeway, usually I listened to cds, but for whatever reason, that morning I turned on the radio to KROQ 106.7. Kevin and Bean were on vacation and Ralph Garman and Doc were talking, but it wasn't the usual banter. They said something about about a plane flying into the World Trade Center, and I remember thinking, "that isn't funny" and just at that moment the second plane hit. The sound in Ralph's voice let me know they were not kidding, this was not a joke, I arrived to work at this point and ran up the stairs, found an old tv with the only 2 co-workers who were there at work as early as I was, and we turned on the tv and watched in shock at what the news had on. I went home to my parent's house that day. I didn't stay at work. I remember watching the news, laying on the couch and just being numb to what was happening. I remember sleeping in my apartment that night in Tustin, California, and my roommate and I jumping out of our beds in fear and running from our rooms into the hallway at the exact same time, after a fighter jet buzzed over our apartment. They were flying to keep us safe, but in that moment we both thought it was for other reasons. So much changed in America that day. We saw the evil that was against us, but we also saw the unity, love, and strength of the American people. We saw brave men and women risk and even lose their lives that day and the days to follow. We saw America do what it does best, UNITE. Gather together and support each other. Hands were held, hugs were given, prayers were said, and flags were flown high and proud from every house, apartment and business across the country. I was more proud than ever to be an American as I mourned with my country over this tragedy, this terrorist attack against our land, our people, our way of life and our beliefs. Here we are today, 2016, fifteen years later....and we are a nation I feel that has forgotten the unity we shared in that time. It didn't matter the color of your skin then, what mattered was we were AMERICANS. So I mourn again, at the remembrance of that day. At the lives that were lost. I also mourn for how far our country has fallen since then. I wonder who we are, and where we are going. I look at the hate and division and I see that we are not being attacked from the outside, we are being attacked from within. My heart is broken for America. I pray that we as Christians will get on our knees and pray for our land. That we will repent from our sins, turn from those things and seek God. "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 That we will be a light in our land. That we will stand for what is right. That we will proclaim the truth. That we will be the first to LOVE our neighbor, to lend a hand, to help, to give, to stand in the gap. "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land..." Ezekiel 22:40a We don't need a tragedy to be the great nation we were in the days that followed 9/11. We can rise up, we can show God's love and share His hope and bring life and light and unity to our country. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14, 16 Let us mourn today, let us remember today, let us show honor to those who lost their lives, and let us use today to challenge us to live better lives. Lives that are determined to make a difference and to do what is right. Lives that are intentional in their relationship with Jesus and how that plays out practically in everyday life. Do not forget the past, learn from it, grow from it, honor it. May it be the building blocks we need to shine bright and stand tall as our nation's morality and unity are crumbling around us. I'd like to leave you all with the words to America the Beautiful... O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law! O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine! O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea! O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea! O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee! O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice, for man's avail Men lavished precious life! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free!