jon phillips

Every year when September 11 rolls around, we always go back in our minds to the places we were that day.  Each one of us has a very vivid memory of what we were doing, who we were with, and how we found out.  It is etched into our minds and our psyche.  One day, my kids will be old enough to ask questions about what happened that day but will they ever be able to appreciate it like we do?  They’re growing up in a world very different from what we did.

I was working at Lucent in Atlanta at the time and our office was right in one of the flight paths of the airport.  That time of the morning, there was always heavy air traffic.  I remember overhearing some whispering from a couple of the older guys while I was walking to the breakroom to get my snack machine breakfast which consisted of a Diet Dr. Pepper and Butterfinger.  I heard some of the guys talking about a plane that flew into one of the towers.  They were saying it must have been an accident.  There were only a few people with computers because we worked mostly in the field.  As a matter of fact, I was still waiting on the day’s assignment.  We huddled around one of the computers and we tracked the events on CNN’s website.  Another group was listening to the radio.  It soon became apparent that it was no accident.  The second tower was hit.  A plane flew into the Pentagon.

The towers eventually fell.  We heard the reports that they were shutting down air traffic.  It became eerily quiet outside.  Most of the guys I was working with decided it was best just to go home. We didn’t ask, we just left.  I don’t think anyone noticed.  I happened to be in the middle of moving back to Villa Rica from Douglasville.  I remember stopping by Walmart to get a few things on the way home.  They had TVs there playing footage.  Up until that point, I hadn’t seen anything.  I just stood there hypnotized for what seemed like only a few minutes but really was more like an hour.

September 11, 2001 is a milestone in our time.  When I think of things from the past, I remember them relative to 9/11.  Its important to take the time to remember the day and honor those who lost their lives.  I remember the days following 9/11, our country was more united that I’ve ever known it to be.  There was no party lines or racial divisions.  We all stood proudly together as Americans.  It was a tragedy that bound us together.  I think we’ve lost that and its a shame.

Another thing I remember about 9/11 is that it church attendance surged, if only temporarily, and the nation was praying together.  Within a year, though, church attendance was back down to normal.  A large percentage of people turned to God during that time.  They felt vulnerable and realized how temporary this life is.  Where did the people go?  There’s much that can be said about that but the point I want to make is that life is fragile and we’re not promised tomorrow. Don’t wait until you think the time is right to turn back to God.  He’s there waiting.  He always has been.  It shouldn’t take a tragedy  in our lives to remind us that we need God.  We ignore Him until we need Him.  But He always takes us back.

This post is much longer than I intended.  I always feel compelled to write something every year.  I wish I had some memorable quote that could express things perfectly but I don’t.  Just please remember this day.