We Remember...

When I was growing up, one of the big questions everyone asked each other was, "Where were you when you heard that JFK was shot?" Generations later, the big question is, "Where were you on 9/11?" Although it's seven 9/11's later, we all know WHICH 9/11 everyone is talking about.

In the fall of 2001, my husband, my youngest son (then 14 months old) and myself were driving to Milwaukee on the morning of what would be referred to as "9/11". I was preparing to minister at a Women Aglow meeting with music and my testimony when my husband got a call on his cell phone. Craig had taken the day off from work and I thought, "Oh no. There's a computer emergency at work and they're calling him in! I hope he can fix the problem remotely, because I would hate to cancel".

It was then that he hung up and turned to me and said, "Remember the Twin Towers in New York City? They're gone." I said, "What do you mean, 'They're gone'?" Looking a bit shaken, he replied, "There was an explosion. They're gone." Right away, I called up the contact person in Milwaukee to see if there might be a change of plans. She told me to come on ahead and that they were praying as we spoke.

When I arrived, I half expected fear and tears. It was almost surreal as the atmosphere in the banquet room where the meeting was scheduled was turned into a place of deep intercession. I felt like I was almost in automatic pilot mode as my husband and I began to set up our equipment in an unusually quiet way. Even our little boy was not the little chatterbox that he usually is. The message and the music was completely changed and completely Spirit-led. I can't tell you what I spoke about, but the time was spent in worship, prayer, intercession and extolling the mercy and goodness of G-d. Oh yes, there were tears and some fear, but the L-rd was in the midst of us and washed all of it away. It was a day I will never forget for as long as I live. It was a day that G-d threw His arms around us and strengthened our faith.

On that day and in the days following, the darkness of this terrible event began to be pierced with "pinpoints of light". Reports surfaced of heroism and self sacrifice that shone bright through the dark clouds of catastrophe. G-d was there. Though His sorrow was evident in the heart wrenching pictures and stories, His love was evident in a country of people who would not roll over and die. Patriotism was high and so were hands and voices in prayer. There is no apology for our reaction to this horrible tragedy. G-d and Country; we are still blessed.

Though the world will remember 9/11 for different reasons, 9/11 will remind me that no matter what the enemy does to us, G-d is still faithful.

PSALM 91:1

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High

shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Shalom,

Alicia