Nine eleven

Sunday, as I'm sure you know, was a bittersweet day for our country. Ten years ago our country was sadly struck with devastation, horror, and death, as it was attacked by terrorists. It was a bittersweet day, to me, because it marked an important day in history that was tragic, but at the same time it was a sweet day. Watching the memorials, stories and specials on TV showed how much our country had healed.


On this particular day, our two boys (our alarm clocks on Sunday mornings) had decided to both sleep until 8:30. Yeah, wow, right? Even though it was nice to get some extra sleep, we missed out on Sunday school, but were able to catch some of the coverage on TV of the memorials. Heath and Cash were sitting on the couch and watching it. Cash asked some questions, and Heath tried to answer them so that Cash could learn and understand what happened and what was taking place now.


One part of the conversation stuck in my mind. It went something like this:


Heath: Cash, those airplanes flew into that tall building and it killed a lot of people. Men that didn't like our country did that. 
Cash: Those men don't like those people?
Heath: Those men don't like everyone who lives here. That's why they wanted to do this and hurt all those people. Lots of people died that day. 


I talked about the events of that day with Cash, too, but really, I think he's still too young to understand. He's only three, right? But then this morning, he made me rethink that. We were talking about our Bible verse this morning while eating breakfast. I recited it to Cash, and I asked him what he thought it meant. 


Me: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 Cash, what does that mean?
Cash: I dunno, mommy.
Me: When you sin it means you do something that you're not supposed to. 
Cash: Like those men?
Me: Those men? What men are you talking about, Cash?
Cash: Those men who killed those people with the planes.
Me: (speechless, really) Yes, Cash. Those men were sinners, but we are, too. We sin against God everyday. That's why we need Jesus....


Sometimes I really wonder if Cash is listening to us when we are answering his questions, but I guess now I know that maybe he is. That morning in worship, some awesome scripture was read that gives me so much hope for the future.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 

The holy dwelling places of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; 

God will help her when morning dawns. 

The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; 

He raised His voice, the earth melted. 

The LORD of hosts is with us; 

The God of Jacob is our stronghold. 

                      

 Come, behold the works of the LORD, 

Who has wrought desolations in the earth. 

He makes wars to cease to the end of the earth; 

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; 

He burns the chariots with fire. 

“Cease striving and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” 

The LORD of hosts is with us; 

The God of Jacob is our stronghold.

     - Psalm 46:4-10