I woke this morning with an ache in my heart for those who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. The images of that horrific day are embedded in our memories and will most likely never be forgotten. We need not re-hash the details, nor should we have to view the videos over and over again to be reminded. It was an event in this nation's history that no reasonable and compassionate person should, or ever will, forget.
Our nation had been attacked by what some like to call "extremists," bringing with them an agenda of death and destruction. Most Americans were unaware that such men lived among us and were plotting war against the United States within its borders. It was not until after the tragedy that Americans woke to the reality that a threat of this severity threatened their very existence. The wars in the past had been fought on other shores, not our own. Other nations had suffered the devastation and brokenness of battle. We watched from a distance. We prayed in our homes. And we waited for our sons and daughters to return.
This question has been posed by many today: "Where were you when 9/11 occurred?" Of course we all remember where we were at, what we were doing, and the impact we felt when we received the news. It is one of those moments in our lives that sticks to us like glue, a memory we cannot erase because of its vivid horror. But I was given pause today when I considered my own story. Another question rose from the ashes of 9/11 and I believe it bears much more significance than the first. I was reminded that it is not so much where we were then, but where we are today.
For eight years our government fought a battle within and without our nation that only a few of us understand and appreciate. Because of the heroism of our military and the actions of a responsive Administration, our borders were kept safe and the threat of future attacks were thwarted. The attackers awakened a sleeping giant, one that refused to lie down in submission. To protect American citizens, the battle was removed from our hallowed shores and taken back to the ones who perpetrated it. Our President, George W. Bush, reminded the world that America may have been wounded, but her wounds only made her stronger.
There are some who say President Bush lied to the American people. There are some who say the White House secretly planned the attack. There are those who continue, to this day, to accuse him of using and allowing harsh interrogation methods to secure vital security information and prevent another attack. Some would like to try him in a court of law, lock him up and throw away the key, if not execute him for crimes against humanity. But I would like to remind those who cast such aspersions upon President Bush that he remained true to his faith in his God. He joined the American people by invoking the Lord in that perilous time and laid his petitions for this nation before Him. And I believe God Almighty answered him by protecting our nation to this day.
From its birth, America has been a nation blessed by God. That is, as long as her citizens continue to acknowledge and honor Him. It is when our backs are turned from God that His blessing will be removed. America still remains a great nation. There are still men and women within our government who are willing to step out in faith and allow the Lord to lead them. But their numbers are dwindling, their faith faltering, and their willingness to submit to the current Administration's agenda is threatening America's very existence.
The lives of those lost in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania should always be remembered and honored. But we should not dwell there. We should move forward with the names of those lost on our sleeves and continue the battle that began with them. We should take a lesson from our former President and refuse to lie down in defeat.
Our nation had been attacked by what some like to call "extremists," bringing with them an agenda of death and destruction. Most Americans were unaware that such men lived among us and were plotting war against the United States within its borders. It was not until after the tragedy that Americans woke to the reality that a threat of this severity threatened their very existence. The wars in the past had been fought on other shores, not our own. Other nations had suffered the devastation and brokenness of battle. We watched from a distance. We prayed in our homes. And we waited for our sons and daughters to return.
This question has been posed by many today: "Where were you when 9/11 occurred?" Of course we all remember where we were at, what we were doing, and the impact we felt when we received the news. It is one of those moments in our lives that sticks to us like glue, a memory we cannot erase because of its vivid horror. But I was given pause today when I considered my own story. Another question rose from the ashes of 9/11 and I believe it bears much more significance than the first. I was reminded that it is not so much where we were then, but where we are today.
For eight years our government fought a battle within and without our nation that only a few of us understand and appreciate. Because of the heroism of our military and the actions of a responsive Administration, our borders were kept safe and the threat of future attacks were thwarted. The attackers awakened a sleeping giant, one that refused to lie down in submission. To protect American citizens, the battle was removed from our hallowed shores and taken back to the ones who perpetrated it. Our President, George W. Bush, reminded the world that America may have been wounded, but her wounds only made her stronger.
There are some who say President Bush lied to the American people. There are some who say the White House secretly planned the attack. There are those who continue, to this day, to accuse him of using and allowing harsh interrogation methods to secure vital security information and prevent another attack. Some would like to try him in a court of law, lock him up and throw away the key, if not execute him for crimes against humanity. But I would like to remind those who cast such aspersions upon President Bush that he remained true to his faith in his God. He joined the American people by invoking the Lord in that perilous time and laid his petitions for this nation before Him. And I believe God Almighty answered him by protecting our nation to this day.
From its birth, America has been a nation blessed by God. That is, as long as her citizens continue to acknowledge and honor Him. It is when our backs are turned from God that His blessing will be removed. America still remains a great nation. There are still men and women within our government who are willing to step out in faith and allow the Lord to lead them. But their numbers are dwindling, their faith faltering, and their willingness to submit to the current Administration's agenda is threatening America's very existence.
The lives of those lost in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in a field in Pennsylvania should always be remembered and honored. But we should not dwell there. We should move forward with the names of those lost on our sleeves and continue the battle that began with them. We should take a lesson from our former President and refuse to lie down in defeat.
