Remembering 9/11

September 11^th, 2001. As a Flight Attendant I remember that day very clearly. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day in Dallas/Ft Worth. I was at home. My children were at pre-school. My husband was getting ready to head to the airport for a business trip. Then my phone rang. It was my mother making sure I was NOT flying that day. In panic she told me to turn on the TV and I starred in shock. Disbelief and confusion ran through my mind when I saw the footage of something truly inconceivable; airplanes purposely crashing into buildings. I immediately thought of all the flight attendants I knew and wondered about the actions and bravery of those actually working the flights that morning knowing it could have, by fate, been me.

This day affected everyone….but as an airline employee it was deeply personal. I was shocked to see those huge airplanes that I fly around on week after week, being flown into buildings. All I could think about was my fellow crew members. They were just normal people with husbands, wives, children….and life stories...doing their job one minute and terrorized and gone the next.

Unfortunately, one of the flight attendants killed that day happened to be a friend of mine. Both she and her husband were working the flight that was flown into the Pentagon. His name was Ken…her name was Jennifer. Because they seemed inseparable (even in death) they were known as Kennifer. This could very well be where Hollywood got the concept of blending two famous 1^st names into one. Anyway, Jennifer and I lived together for 6 weeks during the Fall of 1986 for flight training with American Airlines. During that time we laughed together and even grooved to our 80’s music together in the early mornings as we went elbow to elbow putting on our makeup for class. That fall, the song of the season was ‘Word Up’! Jennifer loved that song! In the Fall of 2001, on September 11^th, she and her husband were dead!

In those first fiery moments of terror all of our lives changed forever. Americans had to come to terms with the devastating fact that, at this point in time, our country was no longer safe. As an airline employee I felt that I was no longer safe at work. My employer graciously offered Leave of Absence. I took it! Fear loomed and wasn’t something that could be easily conquered but we pulled together and even drew close to God as a country. We rolled up our sleeves, flew our flags, did the work and called on our faith….but time diminished the impact of those planes into those buildings…. and something that should not lie dormant became quiet. Our patriotic passion for unity again became second-rate and our need for God lapsed- again.

With 9/11 memories still vivid in my mind and with a mix of sadness and truth I share the following beliefs: It is crucially important to remain passionate about our freedoms and about the principles that hold us together as a family and as a nation. Christian principles used to be the foundation of right and wrong and were indeed the foundation of this country. Did you know that 11 of the original 13 colonies required that you be a Christian to be elected office? Did you know that the Constitution of all 50 states mentions God? Did you know that The Constitution of the United States of America references scripture from the Bible? To continue….did you know that out of the 56 men who signed the Constitution, 52 of them were Christians and 27 of them had Seminary degrees!

We are indeed a country founded on Christian beliefs which provide us great protections, but we want to move away from this truth because this distance allows us to rule ourselves and feel less guilty about it. This distance empowers man! One last intriguing question: Did you know that history documents that every great Empire in the history of the world has fallen- and most from within? Do you see or sense any correlation to this fact and the direction in which our nation is now going and the “road” upon which we seem to be riding to our own destruction.

To many, to be holy and reverent is a bunch of hullabaloo. To the critics, Christianity creaks. It has old-school tendencies and rules that are not pliable enough for society these days. God has been decisively diminished-for Selfishness is the reigning principle and generally there is not enough room for self and God. This is actually so biblical it is eerie; however, God can and will rectify this one way or another. Graciously, God says this.....

II Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name
will humble themselves and Pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin
and will heal their land.”

This was written around 700 BC, so it seems that men throughout the ages have had a tendency to turn from God and into their self-serving, self-destructive ways. For those of us who sense this danger it is not too late. We can choose to return to our faith in God and country. The warning bells are ringing….and we need to remember where our allegiance lies!

Just as with the memory of the 9/11 events, the further we move down the time-line away from truth of it- the less the impact it has on our hearts and belief-system. We need to seek God’s protection by returning to God's truth!

Scripture says:
“I am the way, the truth and the life;
No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

As far as our country goes…. Our Pledge of Allegiance says:

“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands
one nation, under God, indivisible
with liberty and justice for all.”

Unfortunately, these days we want our way, blended truth and the easy life. One that doesn’t insist on “one nation, under God, indivisible…”. Please note that as history and the bible records….a nation that God doesn’t guide doesn’t thrive! Look around. Listen to the news. Study politics and history. Obviously we need God and over and over God calls us unto Him-yet over and over we ebb and flow-come and go! We’re inconsistent. Fickle! September 11^th, 2001 shows that we want God when we need a savior…or just a hero….but God wants our hearts and minds at all times. He wants our allegiance.

Romans 13: 1 says:
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established.”

Scripture also says in Isaiah 40:23:
“He brings princes to naught
and reduces rulers of this world to nothing.”

We can be sure of what we know and believe….or we can be uninterested and then be easily swayed. That’s frightening! Let me encourage you to be sure about this: God is in control! He established the working order of our universe, created man himself, provided the 10 Commandments, and as the above scripture states-established and controls governing authorities. Believe me, something is in control of our universe, something is in control of our lives and even our politics and something controls our destiny!

The question and issue is this…what do you believe? History shows that people will give their allegiance to something! To whom or what have you pledged yours? To what purposed-end are you propelling your life? We are all moving forward, the earth is spinning, time is passing, and, as far as I am concerned, scripture will prove to be true. Truth has to be derived from somewhere! I’m standing on FAITH that God’s word is that truth-just as it states in John 14:6.

As September 11^th, 2001 proved, the United States needs our allegiance for this is the only way we will remain the home of the free and the brave. Beyond even this, God requires our allegiance for in the end that will be all that matters.

“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me,
and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 22: 12-13

Music Download: The Word is Alive
-By Casting Crowns

End note: I’m proud to work for American Airlines-always have been!
I’m also honored and blessed to be a Christian-
living in a nation founded on Christian Principles.
“God Bless America!”