Thoughts on 9/11

I am currently watching On Native Soil: The Documentary of the 9/11 Commission Report on msnbc almost in tears viewing the footage and listening to the stories of the tragedy that took place ten years ago today. How could you not be affected by watching such horror occur? I was only 10 years old when the attacks happened and I remember the day vividly. I remember eating breakfast with the TV turned on to some news program (as it was every morning) when all of a sudden dad called mom into the room to watch. She sat down and just started crying. I knew something was wrong when that happened. My parents did the best that they could to explain to their 10 & 8 year old children what was going on in our country, but it was way too much to comprehend. When we got to school our sweet old librarian, Mr. Klock, came around to each classroom to pray and give more of an explanation for what happened. One of the teachers husband is a pilot and was supposed to be flying one of those planes, but his schedule got changed at the last minute. However since he was flying somewhere else, it was still a few hours before she heard from him and we were all praying for that situation too. Even in southern California, my private Christian elementary school could have been directly affected by a terrorist attack in New York City.

In a way, each and every American was affected by the events that took place that day. It makes me so angry watching the security tapes of the airport security people who just let the terrorist through. It is amazing, even now, how much you can get past airport security. (Yet they get angry when I don't take my hand sanitizer and lotion out and place it in a separate bin. Go figure. What about the guy with the knife you just let through?!) Sorry, I shouldn't be ranting about that. My point is, that this tragedy could have been prevented on so many fronts yet what were we doing to stop it? Okay, I don't know what I could have done as a ten year old, but I'm sure there are things that could have been done.

At church this morning my pastor spoke about 9/11 from the "other side." From the side of the middle eastern people. I only got part of the sermon because I was in Kid Town, but one of his points was that it is not fair for us to compare the best of Christians (as we are trying to be) to the worst of Muslims/Jihadists. There are three was we should view Islam- as a people that we need to love, a culture we should seek to understand, and a political force that we must discern and engage.

Seems easy right? Well, watching this documentary makes me so angry at the terrorists who destroyed part of our nation. Didn't they have families? Parents? Someone who loved them and would miss them too? I don't care about the buildings so much, if you want to crash into an empty building go for it. But NOT with people in it. It breaks my heart thinking of all those who lost someone who they loved.

Jesus calls us to love our enemies, and in theory that seems so easy to do. But what happens when you have a real enemy? Not just someone on the playground who pushes you down, or someone in high school who calls you ugly. But someone who kills your loved ones and destroys part of your country. The only way we can really love that enemy is with the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. The way of Jesus also includes seeking peace. Wow. Jesus, couldn't you have made it a little easier??

My prayer, for all of us in this country, is that we would turn to Jesus and ask him to help us love those enemies and to really forgive them for what they have done. AND to live a life that would point others to Jesus. No way I can do that on my own, only with Jesus Christ can I get anywhere even close.

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. 

Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:27-36

A New Beginning

1,280 miles and 3 days later: I am in Seattle! I feel like a broken record saying this, but I can't believe it is already September and I am starting a new year. My great friend Chelsea drove up with me because she was already in Riverside visiting her boyfriend. It was so nice to have a co-pilot who was totally relaxed about everything. She was a great DJ and completely understanding when I wasn't feeling well! Yeah, that was fun while trying to drive. I got a flu shot about a week ago and at first I thought that affected me poorly, but then when it didn't go away I think that I may have gotten a little bit of food poisoning or something :/ Thankfully I am feeling better now but I'm still a little hesitant to eat a big meal.

Regardless of how I was feeling, today was my first day as the OFFICIAL Children's Ministry Intern at FFMC. I loved every minute of it! I made copies, got the Preschool carts/cubbies all set up, prepared my curriculum for Sunday, cleaned up classrooms, made bulletin boards, got games ready, sorted through toys, and more. I know I am going to love this job. I love being a part of the "behind the scenes" anything and when I get to do that at church it is such a blessing. Knowing and being a part of all the preparations that go into taking care of a church gives me such joy. I am a little nervous about Sunday because of this new role I have stepped into but I know that God has the situation in control. The services have been switched and are now both in the sanctuary, giving the kids time to play and run in the gym. Coordinating how that will work has been a challenge for everyone, but we're hoping it will work. (If not, we'll come up with something else!)

It was such a blessing being back on the FFMC campus today because that is also where the daycare is that I work at. Even though I was a distraction to many children who should have been paying attention to something else it made my heart smile that they remembered me. One of my favorite little guys saw me through the doorway and yelled, "HI EMILY!" And then turned to the kid next to him and said, "Hey, that's Emily" (Something he does EVERY time he sees me and it cracks me up. He reminds his dad on a regular basis that my name is Emily haha). It was also great to see the teachers and staff. They all wanted to know how my summer was and which class I would be working in. Some of them even started fighting over having me in their class ha! It was such a blessing to be welcomed back with open arms and smiling faces- and I'm not even officially back at work yet! NQACC is one of my favorite places to be and I am so excited to be a teacher there again this year.

It is amazing how God provides so perfectly. We don't always pay attention to when he is providing, but he still remains the same. Sometimes it doesn't become clear until later when we look back and can say, "So that's why that was happening." Either way I am thankful for each and every provision. HE has provided me with a place to live before school starts. HE has provided a wonderful church body for me to be a part of and help serve with. HE has provided a school where I can earn a well-rounded education. HE has provided me with a job I love so much. HE has provided me with roommates for the upcoming year who I love and am excited to live with. HE has provided for me a family who gives me love unconditionally and always supports me. HE has provided me with so much, and I am so grateful for every single thing.

This Sunday marks the start of a new beginning for me in Children's Ministry. Praying that it would be a great day and that this year would help me to decide the direction my future is going in.

Humility.

In all sorts of different ways, I think that we can all use our own dose of humility every now and then. This afternoon I was reading a handful of passages leading me to see that humility is really what I [we] need in order to grow closer to God. If I am so set in myself, thinking that I am always right and know exactly what is going on- how in the world can I become truly intimate with my Lord and Savior? When Moses came into the presence of God he was told to take off his sandals because he was standing on Holy Ground. Just like Moses had to take his sandals off, we are required to take our pride off and stand humbly before our God.

It is an interesting idea when so many things in today's culture and society revolve around getting rewarded. Most people won't do something until they know what they are going to "get" out of it. Whether that is help someone move or go see a friend perform in a play. It's all what can I get from this, not how can I serve those around me and glorify God in all I do.

My prayer is that I would be someone who falls into that second category. This year I want to be someone who can give all the glory to God and not be disappointed when I don't get recognized here on earth, because I know my recognition will come later. and it will be better. MUCH better. :)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way." Psalm 25:9