I was at church on Tuesday morning, September 11, 2001. I was in the nursery watching babies because we were having special services that week. My husband had called my mother in law from work to tell her what had happened just as she was about to leave for church herself. I had to be there early so he was unable to call me but she stopped in the nursery to tell me. At the time we only knew about the first plane and in my young 23 year old mind I remember thinking to myself "if its something big it will be on the news when I get home". I had no idea what I was going to see when I did get home and turned on the television.
Everyone has a story to tell. Many of us knew people that were directly affected by that day. Some of us lost family members, friends and loved ones. All were shaken. I was shaken. Right down to my core. Life as I knew it changed. Up until that day I was young naive mother that knew there was evil in the world but never expected it to hit so close to home. None of us did. That day changed me.
I had a nearly 1 year old baby and a 3 year old toddler. Life was scary, uncertain, and felt turned upside down. Reality hit me hard when my 3 year old asked me in his sweet little voice "mommy, why are airplanes flying into those buildings?". I knew at that moment I was watching way too much coverage on television though I think that was true for many of us. It's hard to walk away when you don't understand the why of what happened and your're scared because you have no idea the who of what happened. And it is very hard to try and explain to a 3 year old what it is you are watching. Even at 3 he knew that was not normal - for airplanes to fly into a building.
Knowing that I had 2 young children that depended on me for safety came alive that day like never before. I mean most mommies realize their kids are totally dependant on them, as did I but after 9-11-01 it felt different. Through the years since that horrific day I have come to realize that while I am to protect my children and look out for their well-being I can't protect them from everything. I can't keep them from every possible evil there is in this sin filled world. I can't be with them every minute of every day (though I wish I could) making decisions for them all the time.
But God Can. God can be with me, my husband and my boys as well as you and your loved ones each and every day if we will just put our trust in Him. The Bible says that He would never leave us or forsake us. He will be with us in times of trouble.
Deuteronomy 31:6 says Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
One of my favorite Chapters in the Bible and I quote from it often is Psalm 91. The Amplified Version is my favorite because it is really descriptive and brings it to life. If we will make God Our God and will depend on Him all of these wonderful provisions of Protection will follow us every day of our life. Verse 15 is one of my favorites - He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. No, I can't be with my boys everyday but we pray together each morning for their Angels to go with them and for God to watch over them and keep them safe and I have to depend on God to do what He said He would do.
Psalm 91
1 He who [a]dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!
3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence.
4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,
10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent.
11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service].
12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.
14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness—trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].
15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.
This is such a great Jennifer, we can't be with our children and families every day, but God is. That is very comforting, especially as my son gets older and my husband goes out into the world each day. Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Nicole @ WKH