What Have We Learned - 5 Years Later

It's hard to believe that it's been five years since the terror attacks. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had a pastor's meeting in the morning, Jim was getting ready for work. We were waiting for the sitter to come be with our then 8 month old son. When she got to our house she told us that something terrible had happened. We turned on the TV just as the second plane hit. I thought it was so terrible it must be some kind of horror movie trailer that they were showing. But we soon learned that it was all too true.

That day was surreal for me. The downtown ministers went ahead and met...searching for some way we could be strong for each other as we sought to be strong for those who would come seeking some kind of answers...some kind of reason for this unthinkable act of violence. Many of us were on the phone with loved ones...one of which was scheduled to leave that morning for London.

People walked around in a daze...not knowing exactly what would come next...what would happen next. Many were glued to the television and radio listening and watching for some explanation, some kind of guidance, some source of hope.

As we look back, there are many things we learned in the past five years. Here are three of those lessons...

1. We should never take things for granted. Each day spent with those we love should be lived to the fullest so that those we care about know how much they mean to us and so that we suck the marrow out of each moment that we live.

2. No matter what might divide us from each other, when others are in need, we all can come together to help in whatever way we can. Things changed for a while after that day. People let down their guards to be kind and courteous to each other.

3. There are those among us who will offer up their time, talent and their vary lives to rescue those who are in danger or those in need. There were many that day and even the days, weeks and months to follow who offered of themselves so that others might be saved or comforted.

There are many other things we have learned since then...but these are the ones that really stick out in my mind. May we continue to learn new things about ourselves and our faith.