9/11

                                                                                   Pat Zabriskie

Eleven years ago on this date, our country was attacked by terrorists. I hope television channels will run the devastating pictures as a reminder what people who hate us can do.

Everyone who witnessed this has his/her own memories. Mine are these: after breakfast I checked into one of the morning TV shows to get the news. I couldn’t believe what played before my eyes—a plane aiming for and crashing into the World Trade Center Tower.

At first I thought the plane had malfunctioned and this was a terrible accident. But when I saw the second plane, I knew some enemy had deliberately crashed into a familiar American landmark. A building filled with people. An international edifice that housed offices from many countries: Indians, Japanese, Americans, Europeans, and countless others.

We know there were hundreds of first responders, policemen, firefighters on duty. We’ll never know how many people helped. There was one group of noteworthy Americans whose names we’ll never know.

Across the river, a construction gang saw the disaster. In minutes, those men laid down their tools, jumped on the ferry and went to New York City to help.

On an unknown street in Newark, another work crew saw the residents of an ethnic community exit their homes and begin to dance and clap in the streets.

Elsewhere, people who commuted from NJ sat frustrated in gridlocked traffic. Wasn’t the first time that happened, but aggravation and agitation rode with them. They turned on the radio to get a traffic report, only to hear of the tragedy at the Trade Center. Aggravation was erased as a number of drivers realized their office in the WTC was gone, along with co-workers who made it to work on time.

Two of my grandchildren were in the city—one studying at Pratt, another on a work assignment. I sat in stunned silence as I watched the crowds running from the huge cloud of debris speeding after them. Would I see my grandkids’ frightened faces among them? I’m sure I was not the only person praying earnestly.

A young waiter who worked at the WTC’s restaurant on top of the world,

told us later, he was approaching his work when he saw the towers tumbling down. He rushed back to his nearby apartment, changed clothes and returned to help. That act saved his life. He was safe indoors when the worst of the debris flew.

America is a country blessed greatly by God. As Israel of old, we Americans have set aside our first faith and worship many idols. The God and Creator of heaven and earth, whose Name we use as a curse word, is replaced by the god of choice, to whom we sacrifice babies on Choice’s altar. The god of money for whom we cheat and trample the poor. The god of sexual immoralty who returns our worship with disease and divorce. The god of disrespect who teaches us not to care about our elders.

This is our present world. Can anyone ask, “Why doesn’t God do something …?” Because it is man’s fault. The result of human choices is war, famine, disaster, hatred, murder and horrifying abominations.

Today we remember our lost citizens, and the rescue forces who braved burning stairwells to save as many as possible. We remember the fearless Americans who thwarted the plan to hit the White House. They gave their lives.

The Bible speaks of this act, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at .just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might we willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:6-9

Nine-Eleven’s rescuers asked no question as to whether the people in the Trade Center were worth saving! No, they were ready to give their lives for anyone who needed them.

Christ stands ready to save anyone who calls on Him for help

Remember.