Ten years ago, a nation stopped.

Ten years ago, many were forced to examine what they believe.  How could a loving God allow this to happen?  Why didn’t He stop it?

Ten years ago, the United States experienced what many nations experience on a daily basis yet one cannot fully understand until its seen with our own eyes.

Ten years ago, I was just a girl.  With much growing up to do.

Ten years ago, I was just beginning my walk with God and asked the questions in the second line.

Ten years ago, the population of widows and orphans grew substantially.

And now I see that devastation brings reconstruction through transformation and that a nation doesn’t stop forever.

And now I see a very resilient human spirit instilled within us by Him.

And now I see  fragments of that girl but mostly she’s been overtaken by a woman who knows what she believes and believes it strongly. But she still has much growing up to do.

And now I see that our airport security really did need an overhaul.

And now I see that we no longer can live feeling like we are immune to terrorism because we are an economic powerhouse.

And now I see that it’s not God that allows these things to happen – it’s the free will and the enemy that work in tandem.

And now I see that regardless of who is president or what party has the majority or what someone’s stance on education may be, there is no other place I would rather live than in this country.

The above cross was discovered while relief workers were trying to find bodies days after the 9/11 attacks.  Much of the World Trade Center was built off-site for easier construction and included several crossbeams such as the one above but this is the only one that was found intact.  It was a beacon to those working in the aftermath of the attacks.  It now stands as a memorial at Ground Zero.

Currently, the American Atheists are now suing because “the cross is a religious symbol of Christianity and the museum is partly government financed and is on government property, the cross’s inclusion in the museum violates the United States Constitution and state civil rights law.” (New York Times, July 29, 2011).

Members of the group claim to have suffered “dyspepsia, symptoms of depression, headaches, anxiety, and mental pain and anguish from the knowledge that they are made to feel officially excluded from the ranks of citizens who were directly injured by the 9/11 attack.”

And while my first reaction was to exclaim “YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?” it’s now clearly evident that there are many people who are just hurting so badly and don’t even know why. Their anger is at a God they perceive to have failed them.  A God that wasn’t there to provide for their pain. 

A God that loves everyone else except them so they must reject Him since they first felt rejected. 

And yet, they were never rejected and He sheds tears over their disbelief. 

So I think, as hard as it is, we need to vow to pray for the American Atheists and think about how Jesus would treat them.

It wouldn’t be with disdain.  It wouldn’t be with anger.  It wouldn’t be with disgust or intolerance or irritation. He wouldn’t argue with them, He wouldn’t try to prove His point, He wouldn’t talk above them.

Admittedly, this was my flesh answer when I first read about this.

But I know He would love them because we are told that:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6.

And so I choose to love though if I must be honest, I don’t want to do so.  I am obedient to what He says we must do and while I may not agree I am still called to love them with grace because He loves me with a grace I don’t deserve.

On this Multitude Sunday/Monday, I thank you God for:

581.  My soul that finds rest in you alone

582.  The salvation that comes from you

583.  Being my rock

584.  Not allowing me to be shaken

585. The honor that comes from only you – not anyone else.

586.  Being my refuge and listening when I pour my heart out to you

587.  Your unfailing love

588.  Your rewards for obedience

589.  King David, who screwed up and suffered much but is so real to the human spirit of today

590.  The 62nd Psalm

591.  My sweet Grandjack, who I adored, who was born on this day in 1926.  We lost you in early 2007 and I’ve missed your voice ever since.  September 11 is a sad day for so many reasons yet it is a day I celebrate the life of you, the only constant male figure I’ve ever known.  You are so missed, Grandjack.

This week may you  hug your husband/wife a little tighter.  May you take pleasure in the milky kisses of a toddler.  May you find gratitude in just knowing that you are here to walk through the beauty of this life and will go to a place even better when that time is over.

Linking in with Ann for “Multitude Mondays” and Jen for “Soli Deo Gloria Sisterhood”…