When the World Stopped Turning...

Ten years ago, I had just finished nursing James. After laying him down for his morning nap, I turned on the news as I prepared to go to work at my part time job at our elementary school. My mom would be arriving soon to stay with him for my 2 1/2 hour work day.

The first plane hit. I froze, suddenly acutely tuned in as Matt and Katie tried to sort it all out from the TV. I watched as a second plane hit. The world stopped turning.

"It appears this was not an accident."

My knees buckled, and I sat in awe...as the news anchors tried to sort out what was happening.

Within minutes, news came that the Pentagon had been hit. The phone rang. My stepdad, asked "What's happening?"

"We are under attack. Terrorists are here...in America. They hit the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. I don't know where Shannon is."

My thoughts raced to Shannon, my brother-in-law serving in the Marines as the crew chief for Marine One (the president's helicopter). Where was he today? Flying with the president? A dignitary? If he was landing on the helipad, he would be at the Pentagon...

The news shows President Bush reading to some children at a school in Florida. I vaguely hear that he will board Air Force One, not Marine One.

Reluctantly, although like every other mother in America, I just want to grab James from his crib and get Timothy from school and hold them close, I leave for work after mom's arrival. 

The silence in the school halls was deafening. Our faces remain stoic so as not to alert the children. The only source of news is a radio in the office that tells us there is still a plane out there unaccounted for. We go through the motions, numb...gripped with fear...knowing that our world is forever changed. Not knowing what that may mean, or what more may be coming.

Not since Pearl Harbor has there been such a day. We see war torn countries on the news, enduring explosions and civilian casualties everyday. But, not here. Not in America.

Ten years later, I sat in a Social Studies class where we spent two days remembering the events of September 11. Our Weekly Reader was devoted to the events of that day, and the heroes that emerged all over this country. Something beautiful arose from the ashes of destruction, as people joined together to give what they could for the rescue effort...to wave their flags...to weep together...to pray for this great land. The lessons inspired the young children, many of whom were just born or not even born when the events occurred, to talk with their parents about that day. And, everyone remembered where they were when the world stopped turning. A friend of mine put it in perspective when she mentioned how amazing it is that our children (10 and under) have never known an America without the threat of terrorists and war. 

Our world changed that day, and our country. Forever changed.

But, the steadfastness of our God remains secure.

A friend of mine posted this scripture on facebook, and I found it fitting as we remember:

"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out

 against me,

 even then will I be confident." - Psalm 27:3

God is always in control. Let us never forget those who lost their lives on 

9/11/01. 

Continued prayers for this great land...