Out of respect for the families of those who died on September 11, 2001, today’s post is a short one. As we remember 9-11 and those who lost their lives, I want to encourage you to put things in perspective. The things that worry and stress you out seem pretty small when you think about them today.
“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)?”
This song by Alan Jackson always cuts me to the core. The opening line is, “Where were you when the world stopped turnin’ that September day?” That day, I was eleven years old and in the sixth grade.
I remember we spent most of the day watching the news, and there was a lot of crying. Once, in the afternoon, a plane flew low overhead, and we wondered if it too would crash, killing hundreds of people. As the death toll continued to rise, we wondered if this was it.
I remember in the days that followed, our nation came together like never before. We put aside our differences and petty squabbles and chose to remember 9-11. The things that had seemed so important before were trivial in comparison to the tragedy that rocked our nation.
How easily we forget
But time went on, and as a nation, we forgot what happened that day. As we returned to our everyday lives, the pain and devastation we experienced that day faded into the background as we went on with our lives.
We started bickering about religion, politics, and social issues. We are once again a nation divided.
The three F’s
Mama, I know you have a lot going on in your life right now, and there are a lot of things that are stressing you out: busyness, time management, finances, etc. And while all those things are important, there are three things that trump everything else: your faith, your family, and your freedom.
As a Christian, I am nothing without my faith. It’s what has gotten me through the toughest times in my life, and what keeps me grounded moving forward. My family is the most important thing to me on this Earth, and I would do anything for them. I am blessed beyond measure to have the freedoms I do in this amazing country.
Remember 9-11
So how will I choose to remember 9-11? By not taking any of it for granted. Sure, I have a lot going on right now, and there are days I think I’m going to lose my mind. But in the grand scheme of things, what matters are the three f’s. I choose to show love and kindness to others, even if they don’t agree with me, because people and relationships are so much more important than being right.
Honor those who died by not taking this country and its freedom for granted. Yes, the worries that you have are real, but it’s not everything.
So take some time to reflect and remember 9-11 today, mama. Thank the Lord that you get to raise your kids in this great nation. Take a look at those things that you’re stressed about and determine if it’s really that big a deal in the grand scheme of things. And make sure to hug your babies extra tight today. God bless you, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
