I remember the day the towers fell, when over 3,000 Americans lost their lives in a heartless attack on the United States. I was 17. My dad came into my room that morning, much earlier than I normally would have woken up for school. “You have to come see what is happening,” he said. As I watched the footage, I couldn’t really process it, other than to be deeply sad. I was a selfish teen at the time, wrapped up in my 12th grade year.

The school day was hushed. We had classes as usual. I wanted the teachers to talk about it, to share their thoughts, to help us younger citizens process what had happened and what was happening, but we just carried on as usual. I doubt they themselves knew how to process it.

I remember that as a nation we were afraid there would be more attacks. There was talk of California possibly being the next target. At this point the Pentagon had also been hit. I didn’t understand Muslims or terrorism so I had less apprehension than those who knew what could happen if the attacks kept coming.

After 9/11, as it would come to be known, the country found a new sense of national pride and came together. Suddenly petty differences were just that – petty. And division among groups was set aside to mourn the loss, to grieve, and to determine what was to be done next. I remember the songs, the demonstrations, the funerals, the efforts to both honor the lost and to figure out what was the best course of action.

Today, 20 years later, it’s hard to believe that for a short time we were united as a nation, focused on a common enemy and standing together instead of drawing strong lines. Today, we are completely distracted (by design) by our differences. We are separated by color of skin, religion, political beliefs, masks, vaccines, fear. Discussion has all but ended, full stop. Instead, we shout at each other, not caring if we were heard, only wanting to get it out. It’s almost as if that too was by design.

The enemy saw that an overt act of sabotage led to united Americans – the strongest group there could be – blood and courage and faith running through our veins as our ancestors came here seeking a better life, a life not shadowed by a worldly king or a tyrannical government but one that was by the people, for the people. And so they came secretly. And divided.

It was once taught not to see skin color. Now we’re told it’s the only thing that matters. And that if you are white, you are automatically prejudice against those with different pigmentation. It was once taught that freedom of speech was the epitome of freedom. Now censorship is the norm and “safe spaces” are provided for those who are too weak to have an actual discussion. We have all become victims. The strength in Americans, that grit that founded our nation, has been all but neutered out of us. The very soul of what it means to be an American has been replaced by our 5 minutes of hate. (see “1984”)

“A house divided cannot stand.”

Abraham Lincoln

Unless America remembers its roots, it will crumble. Evil will win. Perhaps today hearts will pause to ponder where they were when the towers fell. Perhaps a stirring of national pride will cause their hearts to look at our flag from a different vantage point, smiling to honor all those who lost their lives not only on September 11th but also all of those before and after to protect this country and the freedom it once stood for.

Trust me. You are blessed if you live in the land of the free. So many from around the world look to America for hope, for leadership. I know it looks bleak as freedoms are stripped away in the name of “health”, the false idol of a long life replacing the truth of God and eternal life. But Jesus works silent miracles daily. So join me in saying “Jesus, I surrender myself to You. Take care of everything,” and spend today reflecting, praying, and considering how you can be that unifying voice, a voice that brings Americans together, that reminds them of their heritage and their responsibility to be beacons of light.