9-11 Changed Us

Nine eleven changed us.

Even if we didn't lose someone in the World Trade Center attack, the Shanksville crash, or the attack on the Pentagon, we all lost something. And we gained something else. 

I was reminded of this when I flew to Boston not long ago. 

I smiled a greeting to my seat mate, but he didn't speak. Wedged into the spot by the window with his long legs bent uncomfortably, he sat in a space not built for his six-foot-something frame. 

I watched as he tapped out a quick text message on his iPhone, tucked it into his pocket, and then thought better of it. 

"Hi Honey," he said to the voice mail on the other end. "I'm getting ready to take off. I sent you a text, but I just wanted to say I love you. . . . I'll let you know when I arrive. . . " His voice trailed off, and he ended the call. 

It was a typical post-9-11 phone call; one we now all make before we fly. 

The bravado of the Reagan years--that wonderfully secure certainty that we lived in a powerful, untouchable country--is gone. Flying's no longer fun. Or carefree. Or easy. 

On this plane, the presence of the air marshal reminded us that our planes had been hijacked and used against us. So did the wanding, the pat down, and the armed guards with fierce-looking dogs. 

Now when we travel, we part more intentionally. We don't leave without considering that we might never return. We say,"1 love you," more easily. We hug a little tighter. We wave until we're out of sight, and we pray. 

We say the words that are most important, to each other and to God, and we rejoice exceedingly when, in God's mercy, we are reunited. Every safe arrival is a gift we no longer take for granted. 



Nine-eleven changed us, but maybe not all for the worst. We lost something, but we gained something, too. 

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Prov. 27:1) 

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)

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Terrorists Hijacked My Sister's Birthday

On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked my sister's birthday. 

I remember it as if it were yesterday. My daughters and I had declared a holiday from school in order to celebrate my sister's 31st birthday. We packed the car with gifts and a birthday cake to take to her home in Leesville, South Carolina. 

We were enroute when the radio announcer's voice broke through our happy chatter to announce the stunning news. As we traveled farther from the source of the radio signal, we lost the broadcast and were left with more questions than answers.

The images on my sister's television screen confirmed truth worse than anything we had ever imagined. We made a feeble attempt at gifts and cake, but celebration seemed sacrilegious in the face of such a tragedy.

On September 11, 2001, my sister marked her 31st birthday with the realization that 3,497 people would never again celebrate theirs.  Terrorists hijacked her birthday.  She will never again celebrate her birthday completely carefree, for the shadow that clings to the edges of September 11 will be with us forever.

Terrorists hijacked my sister's birthday, but they did not steal our hope.  September 11th was not God's idea, but wicked man's.  But 9-11 did not change God's love for us.  It is only because of His mercy that we are not consumed.

"Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is Your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion;

therefore I will wait for him."

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him,

the one who seeks Him;

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." (Lamentations 3:21-26)

If you know God as your Savior and Lord, take a moment to thank Him for His love and care for you.

If you don't know Him, let today be the day.  Apart from Him, we have no hope.  With Him, we rest secure.  Our strength is not in the Twin Towers.  Our strength is in God.

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