...wars, and rumors of wars...

Tomorrow will be the anniversary of the day that changed the world forever. Of course all of us remember that day. I was working in Tucson, AZ at a fast food restaurant, trying to make ends meet. I was also preparing myself for the military. The Army was calling, I had made a 97 on the entrance test, and apparently, that was something that didn't happen often. I was being bombarded by recruiters, and in the process of dropping weight from my first child, and getting into better shape. It was really a dream come true, maybe I could make something of myself after all. I went to work early the morning of September 11, 2001. I was in the drive thru, taking orders, and passing them to fellow Americans on their way to work. Glamorous right? It was like every other day, until one particular car pulled up. The man was staring blankly at me with his radio on. I remember he said to me, 'A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center'. I could never have imagined that at that moment, those words would change the course of my life. Still not knowing the gravity of the situation, but guessing it was significant, I called my pastor. He picked up the phone, but he couldn't speak. All I heard was him weeping on the other end. I kept saying, 'Pastor, Pastor!' Finally he heard me, and I'll never forget the first words he said. 'Pray, girl, you better pray.' I ran to the back of the store, got an old television off one of the shelves, and plugged it in. It was just in time to see the second plane hitting the towers. My world stood still. There was no one at the restaurant for the rest of the morning, and we all just gathered around the television watching in horror and utter disbelief. I was weeping for the lost lives of my fellow Americans. It was so personal, and so offensive to me. I am a very patriotic person, and all things American bring me to tears. I knew that day our country would never be the same, I knew we were headed for war. That day, one that meant so many things, will forever be in my mind as the most horrific in my life. To watch and see war land in my precious country was more than I could handle. I wish I could say that I signed the recruiting papers, and I served my country proudly and bravely, but that wasn't the case. I had a new family, and nothing was more important to me then. Those days after the attack reformed our nation, and our mindset as a people. It gave us a resolve we hadn't seen for quite sometime, and it exposed the evil in this world. As a christian, I began to seek the Lord in new ways, to search for the meaning in all the chaos. He gave me peace in those dark times, and the grace to minister to others touched by this tragedy. I want to remember today, and this week the lives that were lost and changed forever that day, and to say that I will never forget, I will never stop hurting over the sacrifices made that day and the days following. I will never look at another soldier or first responder and take them for granted ever, ever again. Thank you, Lord for all the men and women around the world who stand for freedom. Thank you Lord for the blessing of being a part of this great land of opportunity. I pray for the future of our country and our leaders. Lord, give us the same courage and fortitude we showed in those dark days following the attack. Help us to overcome any trials that lay ahead with the strength, and honor and courage that makes us all Americans, and help us to recognize You throughout it all.