This week marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attack on our country. Like most Americans, I have very vivid memories of that morning. I was a school counselor at Lutheran High School of Dallas. That morning I was meeting with four students who had skipped school the previous day. The principal burst into my office. She never interrupted me when I was with students.
“I need to see you now!” she demanded. My focus had been on the students, and I was
oblivious to what was happening in New York and Washington D.C.
She quickly brought me up to speed. “The news is on in every classroom,” she informed
me. She went on to tell me that the father
of at least one student was in New York for a meeting at the World Trade Center.
Another student also had a relative in New York City. We had to not only address the issue but
reassure the school community that we would be okay.
We made the decision to gather the students together for a
chapel and prayer service. I had less
than an hour to pull things together. I knew immediately which scripture I
would use as a theme verse.
“I
look to the hills.
Where
does my help come from?
My
help comes from the Lord.”
Psalm
121:1
In times of trouble we might ask, “where is my help going
to come from?” As Christians, we should not have to think very long. In the
case of 9/11, it was a new experience, but I also knew God’s track record of
delivering his people in times of trouble.
God does indeed watch over our coming and going, now and for
eternity. The situation might be
uncertain, but God’s presence amid it is never in doubt.
That is my greatest takeaway from 9/11. God will “watch over
our coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Buildings, and even nations, can rise and fall, but God’s everlasting
love is forever. That is our hope.
