Do you remember?

Do you remember that day?  What you were doing, where you were?  Remember how you watched TV, non-stop because you just couldn't turn it off, or look away, even though it hurt...DOWN DEEP?  How you kept your teenagers home and they didn't argue?  Met at churches and prayed?  Sobbed like a baby the 1st time you tried to sing the Star Spangled Banner after the attack? 

Now it's that time of year again, when the weather is more than perfect and the skies are bluer than ever.  and we all pause to remember.  Once a year, we shed tears again and learn more about the people who lost loved ones that day. 

A few days ago, I listened to the story of a man who lost his wife that morning.  It was her first day back at work after maternity leave.  That crude, horrid act of a terrorist, left a 9 week old and a 2 year old without a mom and the inability to ever remember her on their on accord.  "Hate" left a man to mourn, pick up the pieces and to begin life as a single parent.  On September 11th, we reminisce how our lives were changed and our country assaulted. 

They, live it everyday. 

Yeah, we got problems, big ones.  Our leaders are so wrapped up in politics and re-elections and their own agendas they can't take care of what we sent them to Washington to do.  Financially, the outlook is grim.  Health care is beyond my comprehension.  We still have soldiers in harm's way.  The education of our children is no longer a priority in many homes.  Hurricanes and forest fires have ravaged both coasts.  Our Atlanta station showed how Georgia is in a state of drought, with the southern parts now enduring a severe drought.  All the while, today, I looked at my friend's pictures of the river in her Pennsylvania town spilling over throughout the city and I said prayers. 

People devastated, losing everything. 

I watched clips this morning and listened as people told their stories. Mayor Giuliani and President Bush reflected, both, even now, with big lumps in their throat. Matt Lauer took the audience as he toured the One World Trade Center under construction. It is to be the country's tallest building.  Soaring over the beautiful New York city skyline, they showed the view, and it was breath-taking.  One man has worked there consistently through the last 10 years on different crews, doing clean-up and construction.  He hasn't left.  His brother died there and his body, never found.  Working on this architectural tower-of-all-towers gives him healing. 

The symbolic height of this building set every patriotic cell of my being on fire. They tore it down, we built it back...bigger and better, all 1776 feet. 

USA USA USA!!

Hollywood can't make a movie this good

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

God, renew us as a nation under You.  Rebuild as a nation seeking You.  Start with me.