Just so I won’t forget…I know that none of you really care to read about what I was doing on 9/11/01, but I want it in words. I’m sure there are parts I don’t remember correctly.
I was a junior in high school. School had just started and I was in Brown’s choir room. We were were doing our daily warm ups. My neighbor and someone I share millions of childhood memories with, Meagan, was an office aide. She came up to the choir room to give Brown a note and then proceeded to tell us that the Twin Towers had been hit. I’ve already forgotten details. I think school started at 7:50, so I assume that by the time she came up there, both towers had already been hit. And I think we turned the TV on to watch. Actually, I know we did because I remember seeing footage of the second plane crash over and over again and the news anchors just at a loss for words.
When it was time for second block, I went to Coach Little’s classroom for health. We had a test. He wouldn’t allow us to turn the TV on until the test was over. I remember it making me so mad. Sadly, this is the one thing I clearly remember from this day. Who cares about a health test when our country is being attacked? Little Don does.
And I don’t remember the rest of the school day. That bothers me.
Our church had a time of prayer that night for our country, the rescue workers, the victims, and their families. I remember not really knowing what was going on. I remember asking Brent, “What’s this all about? What does this mean for our country?”
And that’s the extent of what I remember. I wish I remembered more. What sticks out in my mind is that dumb health test that kept me from watching the TV.
In November 2002, I went to NYC on a school trip. I was able to go see Ground Zero and it was a very sobering moment. I have pictures, but that was before digital photography and I’m too tired to a) find the pictures and b) scan them to my computer.
I’ll never forget that day. My dad has always said that there is nothing that happens that God didn’t cause or allow. Did God cause this happen? No, the sinful nature of some evil men did. Did God allow it to happen? Yes. Can we fully comprehend why He, being sovereign and all-powerful, let it happen? No, but the short answer is this: sin. We live in a fallen world and evil things happen to everyone.
“For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” Matthew 5:45
A Merry Heart 