On our watch list for last night – the movie, “D.C. 911 Time of Crisis.” We’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of this horrific event and hadn’t seen this flick, so decided to take a look. It was well worth the two hours. This was an unbelievable, incredulous and organized planned attack on our own United States by terrorists. This movie guides us through the day of the attacks and the days that followed. Filled with compelling performances and well defined characters, I found it to be sensitive to the issues at hand.

When we reach 9.11.2021, twenty years will have passed since that paralyzing event. I recall the resurgence of patriotism and anger that ensued towards the perpetrators. So when did all the love of country and taking a strong hand against our enemies get swept into the closet, never to be recalled except once a year when names are read and bells toll? Most of the young people in America today weren’t even born yet. Many were too young to know what was going on. Many of the patriots have since died in defense of their country.

As I watched the events unfold on the screen, I couldn’t help but recall some of the things that were going through my head on that day. We had just finished breakfast and were looking out on a beautiful autumn day. The skies were exceptionally clear and blue. There wasn’t a cloud anywhere. We had the morning news on the TV when the first plane crashed into the tower. It was like watching a movie – something surreal and outlandish. The blue skies on that screen were quickly filled with flames and clouds of black smoke. We soon realized that it was actually happening – right in the hub of America, NYC. With each of these attacks, it seemed more and more unexplainable. Who was doing this? Why were they crashing into buildings using planes as the accelerant? As days went on and facts came forth on the perpetrators, it became apparent that we were dealing with a mob of terrorists intent on destroying the core of our nation. My first thought was to purchase a flag and fly it proudly outside our house. There were none to be found. Everyone else had the same idea, People attended special church services to ask for God’s intervention – to pray – to hug each other – to hold tightly to the faith that had sustained them for years. Suddenly the freedoms we held so close to our hearts had been singed by the power of evil. Fear set in. We didn’t feel safe anymore. Going to the store or walking outside was a fearful experience. In a way the terrorists had already won the battle. In their effort to destroy lives and infrastructure, they managed to take away a piece of our freedom.

I wonder what would happen if that event were to occur today, rather than 20 years ago. Would we still be filled with a patriotic spirit? Have we grown so distrustful of our government that we don’t even believe they have our best interests at heart? As God has shown us in so many eras, His timing is always perfect. Such a time as this – is now being reserved for physical well being, fighting a virus, wearing a mask, taking on a battle against a disease rather than a weapon of mass destruction. Still it isn’t much different is it?

I pray that our country will again gain the trust of its people. When we are united we are so much stronger. When we have the same goals, yet fight among ourselves, we are self-defeating. Maybe it’s time to return to God and build our relationship with Him again. Maybe when we do that, the love of country will be rekindled as well.