Why We Remember

On the morning of September 11, 2001, terror struck the heart of our nation and touched the very soul of every American. I remember exactly what I was doing when I got the call from my mother early that morning telling me to turn on the TV; a plane had just crashed into one of the Twin Towers. It was the first week of homeschooling our two youngest boys and our two older children were at school just 15 minutes away. As I stared in disbelief, a second plane suddenly appeared in the picture. In horror I watched the plane slam into the second tower. I was afraid. I was confused. I wanted all of my children and my husband home, together. That fear only grew as I continued to watch the live news coverage of two other highjacked planes. I wondered HOW this could be, WHY was it happening, and WHO would do this? Would we soon be at war?

As the days and weeks passed, the fear, the grief for the lost, and speculations increased. As the months and even years passed, our country uncovered the answers to the “Who” and the “How,” and even some reasons “Why,” though, the only true answer is simply hatred spawned from a sin cursed world. We have been at war with “Terror” in many ways ever since.

Now, 17 years later, there is a generation living among us that is too young to remember the events of that day. Remembering is important and retelling the horrific details of that day is important for this generation and the next. Why? There is something to be learned from everything that happens to us whether it is collectively or individually. It is important to transfer these lessons to our children and our children’s children, each generation learning from and building upon the previous generation’s knowledge and experience. Because we fail to pass down these stories, the things we have learned from them are often too soon forgotten even in the span of just one generation. We may be doomed as a country or as individuals to experience them again.

This brings me to a spiritual perspective. Scripture teaches us the principle that we are to remember the events of our lives and document them, so that over time we can see more clearly the sovereign hand of God in each trial and the victory He has brought us through. As we read through the stories of the Old Testament, we find God telling the Israelites to set up markers or to make altars of remembrance in the places where He acted on their behalf, so that when future generations come and ask, “Why is this here?” the story of His faithfulness will be retold from generation to generation (Genesis 28:10-19; Genesis 33:20; Exodus 17:8-16; Joshua 4:3-7).

We are a forgetful people. We forget too quickly and so easily the grace and mercy of God. We make demands instead of bowing humbly before Him in gratitude for all He has done. So often I read the Old Testament and ponder the forgetfulness of the Israelites along their journey in the wilderness. How could they experience God in the way they did, see the miracles, eat manna from heaven, yet turn right around and complain against God, forgetting His goodness? But if I am honest, I do it often as well. I enjoy victory in one area only to forget His power when another hardship enters into my life. The dark trial often overtakes me and I cannot see. I begin to let fear of failure overwhelm me like a fog that consumes my mind, obscuring the memories of past victories and hope for the future. We must remember God’s faithfulness in our lives. It encourages our faith, keeping us afloat and propelling us toward Him when the waves of life attempt to take us under.

When we remember His covenant with us, we are encouraged by His faithfulness. We are reminded of our own covenant connection, responsibility, and love for Him. We see our weakness and His strength when we remember His miraculous and merciful acts of grace in our life’s circumstances. When those waves of doubt attempt to topple our faith, we can look back at those peaks and valleys once traversed, knowing we made it by the grace of God. We can recount those stories to others, giving God the glory and encouraging others who may be enduring similar trials.

I encourage you to keep a journal of your stories. Then, go back and re-read them from time to time, the good, the bad, the difficult. Whether is was clear at the time or not, looking back you will surely see the hand of God guiding you, shaping you, and preparing you for more spiritually. Remember, the fog of the moment may be difficult but hindsight is 20/20. You’ll have a much clearer perspective looking back over the whole story!

Take some time this week to sit with your children and tell them the story of what happened 17 years ago today. Tell them of the heroes that risked their lives and of the value of freedom. We are blessed to live in America. Thank God for that blessing. Men and women for hundreds of years have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and by the grace of God we are still free to worship and read our bibles. Many may not know or have forgotten the sacrifices made. Help others remember. May we never forget.