I had another blog drafted but have to post this one instead. I cannot let this day go by without honoring the victims and the heroes of 9/11. It is a day for remembering, a day to be solemn and consider our days. I’m sure that all of us remember exactly what we were doing ten years ago this day. I will speak about mine. I was working in the Executive Offices of Farmland Industries, had been at work about a half an hour. My co-worker and friend, Vicki, walked through the double glass doors and said, “Did you hear that a plane flew into the World Trade Center?” Surprised, I shook my head and headed into the conference room to turn on the television. We watched in disbelief as another plane flew into the south tower and knew then it was no accident … then the Pentagon and finally word of United flight 93. I didn’t have to wait for the news personnel to speculate about what happened on that flight. Once I knew passengers had been in touch with family members by phone, I knew they had taken action to thwart another attack on a US landmark. They knew they were going to perish but would not let the mission of the hijackers succeed. Would I have done the same? I like to think so. I like to think I would have spoken those famous words that Todd Beamer spoke, “Let’s Roll!”
My boys were 16, 13, and 10. We lived, ate, and breathed baseball. I managed my youngest son’s team at the time. We were in the second week of our fall baseball season. All games were canceled that evening. In a couple of days, games resumed. I was getting things in order in the dugout when my head coach, Paul, arrived with an additional piece of equipment – a boom box. That evening, both teams, coaches, and umpires stood on the field facing the flagpole, the flag flying at half-mast. Parents, siblings, and other spectators stood on the bleachers. We placed our hands on our hearts and listened to the national anthem from the boom box – not a normal ritual for our youth baseball league. A few tears were shed, and then, the umpire bellowed out those familiar words, “Play Ball!” No, life did not immediately resume as though nothing had happened. We and our country were forever changed. But it was time to get back in the game.
September 11, 2001, was one of those days where we want to question God. Why did you let it happen? Why didn’t you intervene? You’re all powerful and all knowing; you (God) could have stopped it. Why didn’t you? Well, of course, we don’t have the answer for this. It’s one of those “Oh Well” experiences. Ten years later, we still hurt, but we know that time eases the pain somewhat. Somehow God gives us peace and grace to continue our daily walk. Our place is with the living; and so, we continue our walk, one day at a time. So let’s take those famous words of Todd Beamer and apply to us today when we face disappointment and sorrow that is unexplainable. There is a time to mourn, a time for sorrow, a time to be solemn, and a time for remembering. Then there’s a time for healing, to get up and get back in the game, one day at a a time. Let’s Roll!
… He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 (NIV)
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