Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning???

It might have been 10 years ago, but it seems like yesterday.  We were serving at Midway Baptist Church in Columbus, NC on September 11, 2001.  I was watching The Today Show and Mark was in his study.  They broke it with the news that a plane had hit a tower of The World Trade Center it seemed like only seconds they were announcing that the other tower had been hit.  Then more bad news...the Pentagon had been hit.  Then a plane went down in a field in Pennsylvania...was it related?  I remember just holding my breath wondering where the next plane would hit.  Our phone started ringing off the hook...would the church be open for those to go and pray?  Would we have a special service that night?  I remember being so scared that something was going to happen right there where we lived, every time I heard a sound my heart would race and I would panic.  As the day wore on and no more news of planes, I had finally began to relax. I stayed glued to the TV watching as the towers fell, the Pentagon burned and the plane in PA burned completely up.  I couldn't take my eyes off the TV.  I sat there mesmerized by the images I saw as tears flowed down my face.  Strangers dying, but I was connected to each and everyone of them...WE WERE ALL AMERICANS...except for the terrorist.  I found hate welling up inside of me along with fear and uncertainty. Hate was very unfamiliar to me at this point, but I hated the people who did this.  I wanted to see them hurt in the same way.  My most prevalent emotion was fear.  It was an enormous  fear that engulfed me that day, until a bible verse flooded my mind.  "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7  I remember repeating that verse over and over all day.  I wrote it on post it notes and stuck it every where in our house.  As night time came, we met at church where we prayed and comforted one another.  There I found such peace and rightness...it was as if we were in our own safe little cocoon.  Away from danger or the ugliness of this world.  September 11, 2001....I remember it well.  I haven't forgotten those who died that day...whether they were the intended victim or those trying to rescue others.

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Out in the yard with your wife and children

Working on some stage in LA

Did you stand there in shock at the site of

That black smoke rising against that blue sky

Did you shout out in anger

In fear for your neighbor

Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children

Who lost their dear loved ones

And pray for the ones who don't know

Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble

And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride

For the red white and blue

The heroes who died just doing what they do

Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer

And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

Teaching a class full of innocent children

Driving down some cold interstate

Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor

In a crowded room did you feel alone

Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her

Did you dust off that bible at home

Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened

Close your eyes and not go to sleep

Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages

Speak with some stranger on the street

Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow

Go out and buy you a gun

Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching

And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger

Stand in line and give your own blood

Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family

Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs

I'm not a real political man

I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you

The difference in Iraq and Iran

But I know Jesus and I talk to God

And I remember this from when I was young

Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us

And the greatest is love

The greatest is love

The greatest is love

 
I loved this song the minute I heard it.  It seemed that Alan Jackson had summed up every emotion that I had that day.  From sadness, disbelief, panic, fear, rage and every other emotion known to man.  I remember well where I was when the world stopped turning.
 

We will never forget those who died that day!!!