God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. —2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
My oldest was in my belly the year 9/11 became more than a number. The day we watched in horror as one plane struck and then another. My husband and I were both released early from work. At home we glued our eyes to the television, bracing for another attack when we learned about the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania. The satellites went down, and I put my hands on my stomach as if I could protect the growing baby from the news that advised us to stock up on supplies, water, and other nonperishable goods.
I lay in bed awake that night, looking into the darkness, afraid of what the world had become and wondering what on earth that meant for us and the baby I was carrying. My sons ask, “Where were you? What happened exactly? Why on earth did they do it?” They ask about the people who perished. They ask about the heartbreaking posters of the missing that were everywhere.
I tell them prayer was on everyone’s lips and radiating from our hearts. Prayer that somehow healing could come, that we were protected and loved, and that through the grace of God we’d get through this.
I tell them the answers to prayer came again and again in every kind deed, every selfless act. How even the next day strangers asked me about the baby growing inside me and meant it. Coworkers banded together in efforts to send supplies, start prayer chains, and find ways to help. I tell them that what happened after 9/11 is proof of God’s love right here on earth and the power of the human spirit, selflessness, and courage.
Heavenly Father, on this day of remembrance, heal our aching hearts with Your infinite light, which will always outshine darkness.
