To some, September 11, 2001 seems like a lifetime ago, especially to the parents of young children. Our oldest son, Trent, was just one year-old and Troy hadn’t even been born when the serenity of that late summer morning was shattered by terrorists.
As I drove the boys to school this morning we discussed the anniversary. Over the years we’ve talked a lot about what happened on that tragic day, about the loss of innocent life and how so many dreams of so many families never came true – all because their father or mother never came home.
A colleague remembers the chilling sight of cars in a train station parking lot on Long Island. Police began chalking the tires, one mark for each day the commuter had been missing. One of the cars had wrapped presents in the backseat. That father never made it to his son’s birthday party.
Jean and I have used this somber day of reflection as an opportunity to talk with the boys about how precious life is to the Lord and how every person is worthy of respect and protection. At the same time, we’ve also regularly reminded Trent and Troy that life on this earth is not eternal. Tragedy can strike and break many a heart, but we’ve been created for something much bigger than even this.
How are you observing this eleventh anniversary of 9-11? For those of you with young children, how have you chosen to explain the senseless depravity of that horrific chaos?
(I would encourage you to check out today’s radio broadcast. Author and theologian Randy Alcorn addresses the complex relationship between an all-powerful, loving God and the existence of evil and suffering. To listen, click here.)
We remember the victims who perished and lift up in prayer those who lost the ones they loved.
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