(2001) As the united gathering of the men and women of Congress stood on the steps of the legislature, tears came to my eyes as they proudly sang "God bless America" and declared this country would move on, fight and stand up for freedom. Unfortunately, the most horrible of terrorist attacks had occurred hours earlier in which hijacked airplanes were crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and then another one was diverted from its WhiteHouse target to the fields near Pittsburgh.
Suddenly our eyes shifted from tax cuts, policy implementations and partisan concerns to realize that life is precious and can be taken at any moment. As tears have surfaced in our eyes and as our hearts have pounded with fear, anger and hurt, the realization of the days behind and the days ahead of never being same, have gripped our minds.
Like anyone with a human sense of concern, I have sat with my TV on in the office waiting for retaliation, waiting for news of heroes and miracles, waiting for our leader, President George W. Bush to make statements of strength and honor. Most importantly we have all prayed for God to provide those miracles, provide that strength and direct us to the retaliation He would have for such evil acts on our land.
As I heard on the news many countries have been directly impacted by the crumbling of the buildings in downtown New York City as over 60 countries lost offices and citizens in the destruction. Over 450 businesses have lost employees, friends, partners, paperwork, materials, money, irreplaceable items and documents. For many, those businesses came to a sudden end around 8:48am, PST. Later that afternoon, thousands of children waited for mom or dad, grandma or granddad to come pick them up for school. Someone had to explain to them, that this was not going to happen. How painful it must have been for the messenger and those receiving such horrible words!
Like many, I have asked, "God what can I do?"
Maybe you've asked the same. Whether we are here or there, or in another country, we can be a part of the healing. We can give blood. We can drop by our local Red Cross and give a few dollars, some clothes or canned food. We can pray everyday during lunch until this issue is resolved and everyone that can be, is found. We can teach others the promise of Freedom, here in the U.S. and concerning eternity with Christ. We can show support by putting out our flags and wearing read, white and blue.
Above all, we can prove to the world that we will not relinquish what thousands of people have fought for and given their lives for - freedom. This is America and though we have been in moral decay, we are still the country who proudly prints "IN GOD WE TRUST" on our money, and whose President reads scripture on worldwide TV. We are the United States and God's hand is on this land. For that, we all must unite, keep our prayers to God coming, and as Christians, take this opportunity to show love thousands of miles away, to the hurting, and broken; to those whose loved ones will not be coming home. This is our time to shine. Let's not let Him down.
He will bring healing. Just let Him use you to do it and I will join you. God bless America, my home sweet home...
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
© 2001, J. Brady
“I say it as I see it and I make no bones about it.”
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