I suppose every generation has a day on which they remember exactly what they were doing when the news of tragedy reached their ears. I was running late to work, my husband chased me down the drive way to tell me to come inside and watch a traffic report from New York City. I thought I am late, my boss is going to have a cow and you want me to watch a traffic report which has nothing to do with the Southwest Freeway!!!
As a result of going inside to look at the TV for a minute, I saw the 2nd plane hit the 2nd tower. I realized America was under attack on our shores for the 1st time since Pearl Harbor. I numbly drove to work and slammed on my breaks when the DJ interrupted a song to announce more tragic news. I noticed almost everyone on Highway 59 hit their brakes when I did.
That morning my father closed the office and sent us home for the day. I cried, I stared at the TV for hours and hours. I prayed. I kept wondering if any of our allies would be attacked that day as well. I wondered if the planes had not been grounded would more have been used as lethal weapons. I wondered how the families of the hijackers really felt. Were they secretly horrified or genuinely proud? I wondered if churches would be packed over the next few days. I wondered if true revival would begin in the USA.
I could not fathom the hatred against the USA nor the hatred directed at Muslims after 9/11. Nine years later we have the Mosque at Ground Zero and the Koran burning situation facing us; both stirring up hatred in and out of the Body of Christ. Christians are called to love people not hate them. If you feel hatred rising up in you, please spend time meditating on Scripture pertaining to love. Hatred can cripple your walk with Christ and shut down your ministry.
Christ did not suggest we love people. He commanded us to love people. His word states:
You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
3 comments:
A day of infamy and sadness. I remember all the questions I had. All I wanted was for my family to be under the same roof. I gathered them the best I could. I brought them home from school. I called my son in Mississippi. In the next few days, we drove to him just to be together.
I'm praying with you this morning for revival in hearts, for Love to triumph over hate, for America to heal and be stronger in Christ for it.
A fierce patriotism was born in me that day.
Thanks for this poignant post. Love, Annette
I never had the TV on being a home schooler. We had just sat down for devotions and our neighbor knocked and told us he knew we would not have the TV on but that we should turn it on. I called my friend after I saw what was happening to tell her to turn it on. She too had just tuned in and we were talking together and watched live as the first tower collapsed. We were glued to the TV all day. I am not sure it was good for my young children who were 12,10,7,and 5 but it was history and we watched. I pray that our hearts turn to Him every time we recall this event and pray for those who committed this atrocity and those who lost loved ones and our country to have a revival and His Spirit to rule in our hearts.
A reminder to love our enemies is always a word we need to hear, Annette. Sometimes we forget...
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