Reflections on the 9/11 Anniversary

A friend of mine lost her brother in the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center. I had the opportunity to meet the young widow who was left to raise her beautiful children. They shared stories of what an incredible man he was and how he was always wanting to make the world a better place.

Less than a year after the 9/11 attacks, the extended family honored their loved one's memory by offering an act of mercy by building a house for a needy family in Tijuana, Mexico. This was their family's way of responding to the tragic events of that day by working to bring more of God's kingdom here on earth.

I do not necessarily like the name that has been given to this day in which we commemorate the 9/11 anniversary. Patriot Day. It feels too confining and too narrow. Instead of waving the flag and getting caught up in national patriotic fervor on this day, I hope families like this will inspire us to join them in planting seeds of hope just as they have done in memory of their loved one.

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