While my eyes knew what I was seeing, my brain could not wrap itself around the fact that airplanes had crashed on purpose into the Twin Towers. I stood in the break room of Bakers Square, the smell of grease and cigarette smoke heavy in the air, watching the news unfold on a 12” grainy black and white television with tin foil on the antenna. Normally, the television use was reserved for Packer games only, employees who wished they were someplace else gathered around because there were no customers anyway.
That morning, we gathered around, despite a restaurant full of customers, wishing we were someplace else but not even sure where that would be. The world had changed. Our cocoon of safety had been ripped open, flames and dust filling our vision.
I did not have a relationship with Jesus in 2001. I believed in Him, knew there was a god, and “knew” that the scales had tipped out of my favor. In that moment, though, watching the tv on the flickering picture, towers crumbling to the ground, I wondered where He was and felt that first push to get close to Him. The world was a scary place, and if there was any safety to be found, it would be near Him. While it would be three years before I began my relationship solidly with Him, seeds were planted.
I attended Christmas Eve services that year at the church across the street, looking for hope in the message. I was still wandering in the fog of disbelief and fear as the landscape of our lives changed. I wanted to live deeper and with more love, with more meaning. I needed connection with something bigger than me to help me make sense out of it all.
9/11/2001 changed me ultimately for eternity. Ironically, a day of death and destruction brought me new life. I now know that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of boldness, love, and self-discipline, and with Him, that is the way I try to live.
How has that day changed you?
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be YOUR NAME.
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory forever and ever.
"LET'S ROLL!" Todd Beamer, Flight 93
So glad to hear a good seed was planted that day! That is a great testimony and I am so glad you shared it. I would love to hear more.
ReplyDeleteI was on my way to work when I heard the terrible news. I cried and prayed and called my children and hugged them through the phone. God gave me a new sense of compassion that morning and it has stayed with me.
Glad I stopped by this evening. Blessings to you.