JerrisBlog

JerrisBlog
I am feeling pretty emotional today, and I am always surprised that my feelings flash right back to where they were on 9/11, every year on the anniverary. Why do we always attach dates to memories? Surely the dates of the births of our four sons stir up emotion in my heart, and we celebrate those dates every year. And our wedding day is imprinted on my heart....with the excitement of the day finally arriving and the anticipation of the life we would make together. I am thankful for the seasons that add a tapestry of colors, smells and feelings to significant moments of our lives. However, the first cool breezes of fall and the brilliance of a crisp fall morning will always conjure up in my mind the day our nation was attacked with its own planes--the horror, the sorrow, the suffering and the heroism and turning to God by our nation. I wrote several poems on that day. Here is one:

A Prayer for America--9/11/01

Someone despised your handiwork, God, and brought us low with cruel death!
Someone has laughed at our suffering, Lord, even as we gasped our final breath.
Someone is crying for their loved ones, Father, begging to hold them once again.
Upward we stare at the smoke everywhere! Fire rains down from another man’s sin!
Hear us, dear Lord, and please answer our call! We are feeble with disbelief!Horror has fallen upon us like a black shadow, God, and our hearts cry out to You for relief!
If towers can fall, then to what can we hold? What will stand solid beneath our feet?
If our own people are used to plant fear in our hearts, then will our terror lead to our defeat?
Oh no! Dear Father, please let it not be! Please hear our cry, and lend us Your heart!
Hold us, our God, in the palm of Your hand, where we have found sanctuary from the start.
We need you, O God, we cry out as we pray-- that you guide us in each thought and deed.
We have no comprehension of the evil that has wounded us--we don’t know what it is that we need
to fight this foe--this faceless coward that has vanquished innocence from our children’s hearts!
Give us wisdom and strength and your Presence, O Lord, when we approach You as each day starts.
Walk with us, God, put us on the right paths, as we live this alteration of our former lives.
Redefine our roles in the way You would have us to live as a people-- families,husbands and wives!
But if we must fight to extinguish the evil one’s fire, then make warriors of us--every one!
Give us the courage of Moses, the wisdom of Solomon and the humble obedience of Your mighty Son.
Clothe us with honor and gird us with strength! Give us faith and valor and love!
But let us remember to keep our eyes upon You Our Holy Father, and Our Savior above!
By Jerri Harrington