How Do You Remember?

Posted on September 11, 2012 
Filed Under Life, Personal, Social Concern, Spiritual Life

How will you remember the horrific events of eleven years ago?

As I drove the carpool kids to school, we had a short conversation about what today, September 11, means. They were only five years old on that tragic day of loss. While they have vague memories, they have no clear understanding of what really happened, and what we all felt during that long day and the days that followed. They don’t know the punch-in-the-gut, awful realization in our souls that something terrible was unfolding before our eyes.

So my question is: How do you remember 9/11? And, how do you help your kids gain a sense of what happened and why it matters? What are you doing to make sure that they know – and that we never forget?

I’ll suggest that it begins with an age-appropriate conversation. Unpack some of the emotions. Talk clearly about evil. Share your confidence in God’s sovereignty. Express your gratefulness to the first responders, many of whom gave their lives to rescue and help those trapped and wounded.

If you think your kids are up for it, there’s a movie that I think captures the emotional turmoil of 9/11 very vividly. It is graphic, of course, but it deals well with the terror and the heroism in some very powerful ways. It stars Nicolas Cage and is called World Trade Center.

And, by the way, if you haven’t heard Randy Alcorn’s insights about how to explain evil, and how to understand God’s goodness even in the midst of suffering, listen to this radio interview on Focus on the Family.

So back to my question: How will YOU remember?

 

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