Today I spent a large portion of the day reflecting. So much has changed and happened in these last 10 years, but I, like most of you, remember that Tuesday vividly.
I was a freshman at Baylor, barely beginning my collegiate experience. I had just stepped out of the shower, getting ready for my 9:30 chemistry class across campus. I switched on the Today show which has been my daily ritual for the past 15 years, and I remember watching as Katie Couric and Matt Lauer attempted to explain why airplanes had struck the WTC towers. As I watched, the first tower fell, the Pentagon was hit, and a hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
I wasn't sure what to do next. Baylor had an attendance policy, and as dumb as it seems now, I wasn't sure I would be allowed to miss class for this. So, I headed to class. As I was walking the second tower fell, and when I arrived at my class, Dr. Hassell began a prayer and updated us on the latest news. I remember feeling relieved that I was at a school where a faith and prayer-based response was the norm, and I was praying that everyone I knew was safe.
We held class as normal, and afterwards I headed to my 2nd class of the day. After a few minutes of listening to the radio for news, my teacher dismissed us from class and I headed back to my dorm to catch up on the news I had missed. It was tough being away from friends and family during such an uncertain time. In the days that followed, as the details became clear, I experienced a level of patriotism and pride that I had never known for my country.
This summer Jeff and I had the privilege of being at Ground Zero. During our honeymoon we both knew that a visit to the WTC sites was a priority for us. We sat and held hands as we watched construction crews working on Freedom Tower. I had no idea how emotional it would be, even as far removed as we were from the tragedy. We silently and prayerfully walked through St. Paul's Chapel where emergency workers and volunteers had come to rest or grab a hot meal while they worked to try to find survivors. We read signs and letters from supporters around the country. I cried as we roamed through a cemetery where debris and dust had once covered historic graves. Some would say that the church surviving without any damage was a miracle, but I know better. The Lord needed to do His work in that church during the days and weeks that followed this tragedy.
Later, Jeff and I visited the temporary museum across the street where the memorial plans could be viewed and souvenirs could be purchased. Jeff and I flipped through a book containing hundreds of pictures documenting September 11th. We added our signature and well wishes to the visitors book, and left hand-in-hand, forever changed.
Earlier that day we had been notified that Jeff had lost his job. This day spent reflecting on such a tragedy put that news in perspective. We had each other. We had our families. We had our lives in front of us. We had a home. We shared a beautiful wedding 7 days earlier with those who are closest to us. I know God led us to Ground Zero on this particular day, when we could have visited on any other day of our honeymoon, to remind of us what's important and to turn us toward Him. It would have been easy to dwell on the fact that Jeff had lost his job on our honeymoon. We could have let it cast a shadow on our vacation and the start of our marriage. Instead, we faithfully prayed and stayed optimistic and Jeff had a new, better job within 2 weeks. How great is our God?
I hope that today you have had time to reflect, and could see God's fingerprints touching your life. In what ways has He blessed you? In what ways has He met your needs? How have you seen Him move? My prayer today is that God's presence is made clear in your life. I pray that those who serve our country will be safe. I pray that I never take for granted the freedom and safety we have as citizens of the USA. I pray that I will remember to kiss my husband and hug my family and tell them that I love them as frequently as I can. I pray that I never forget.
