For most people, middle school is a blur highlighted by a few good or bad memories. It's the same way for me, but I remember September 11, 2001 very clearly.
I was 13 years old, sitting in homeroom before Biology in the very front row. My assistant was going over the announcements for the day. Suddenly, our principal called an assembly, and the entire school filed into the hallways and the gym to hear what she had to say.
She was sobbing uncontrollably into the mic. I remember she tried to explain something, followed by a long tearful prayer. I had no clue what had just happened or what was going on.
After the assembly, we hurried back into our classroom where our middle-school minds tried to solve the terrorist problem. My best friend at the time grabbed my shoulders, panicking saying "we're next! Atlanta is next! We're the next big city"!
I don't think we had serious classes for the rest of the day. I remember we gathered around 6" TVs watching the footage over and over. I had gone to NYC the year before and had the opportunity to tour one of the towers as our friend had an office on the 86th floor. I still remember her huge office and giant windows that overlooked the city, and the way the building swayed a little in the wind. Thankfully, that friend was not at work on 9/11.
Nick had just finished boot camp when they were given the news of the attacks. He was just turning his rifle in that morning. His parents had traveled down to see his graduation ceremony, but they were not allowed in the gate, and his ceremony was cut short. I am thankful for his service as well as the many friends we have that are serving overseas currently.
Like the Kennedy Assassination in the previous generation, we will never forget the day of September 11th.
Where were you?
Romans 8:28-39And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
