Ten years ago on Sept 12, 2001 I knew that America as we knew it would be changed forever due to the events of the previous day...
As a mom of 4 children all under the age of 4 - I had to ask myself what would the world look like for my precious children? I had grown up knowing that American Soldiers went to war but it was on other countries' soil - not ours. This would not be the case for my children - they would experience wars right here in America. Not just military wars either - wars of terrorism in the form of persecution, drugs, immorality, the destroying of family, and much more...
However - I also observed something on Sept 12, 2001 and the months that followed that was GOOD! As Americans we were aware of the fraility of life, we acknowledged the Lord in a way that had not been seen in many years, we took the time to notice our neighbors and those around us, we came together in a sense of patriotism and political parties really didn't matter any longer...our churches were full week after week as people realized that Jesus REALLY was the answer!!!
Yes - I was sad and broken about what had happened in NYC...but I was thrilled to see that America had received a MUCH needed wake up call...well, at least I thought they had. Yet, time passed, we returned to our American lives, the day to day life of being focused on self returned and sadly....God was forgotten, the churches weren't full any longer, we didn't gather together for prayer, we made it taboo to pray at public events, we adopted the term "politically correct", and politics was more vicious than EVER for both parties....We say "We will never forget" but I am here to tell you - WE ALREADY FORGOT! A mere 10 years later and we say that there is no place for prayer or scripture in our schools, courts, governments, etc. We forgot about how much we cared for our neighbors 10 years ago, we forgot to tell police officers and first responders in our community how much we appreciate them, we forgot to go to church or to read the Bible...
10 years ago - I saw a hope that just maybe America would realize "We need God in America today.."
One year ago on Sept 12, 2010 - My life WAS changed forever! I borded a plane headed for Zimbabwe Africa. That trip altered the way I view my "American" ways and the way I live. I learned that America is spoiled, self-centered and full of themselves. I learned that when you strip away all the comforts of this life such as 3 meals a day, a bed with a matress, a heated/air conditioned home, closets full of clothes, etc - you have no other thing to focus on but JESUS and HIM ALONE! The 14 days that I spent in Africa will be etched in my mind perhaps even more than 9/11/01 because it was there, in the simplicity of the Shongon lifestyle, that I came face to face with the life Christ has called me to...
"Go into all the world preaching and teaching the Gospel and making disciples of all men"
One year ago - I realized that the car I drive today, the home I sleep in, the job I have, the food I have are all perishible in comparison to living a life of reaching and teaching others about Jesus.
Yes - I remember where I was the morning of 9/11/01 when I heard about the attacks; I remember where our hearts and minds were focused on 9/12/01.....However, more than this I remember the lesson I learned in a country across the world when I went there on Sept 12, 2010 Serving others, Reaching Others, Telling Others, Teaching Others for the Kingdom is really the most important thing in the Christian life....
I have asked the Lord to NEVER LET ME FORGET....
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