God Bless America

Ten years ago today I was in graduate school at Texas A&M University. My roommate, Crista Giles, woke up before me and was in her pajamas watching the news in the living room. She said an airplane flew into the World Trade Center in New York. We sat in horror as we watch and learned that a second plane hit the second tower. We realized quickly that it was an act of war. My thought immediately turned to my friend, Kris Townsend, who had recently joined the military. We were crying, our parents were calling. How could this have happened? We didn't even know this was possible. The world we lived in changed in the blink of an eye. My heart instantly broke for the children who lost parents, for the pregnant women who were going to give birth without their husbands, for the troops that were defending our freedom and for those who were about to, for everyone. I could not imagine being a firefighter and rushing into the buildings. Without thinking of themselves they began to rescue people. They would come out to safety, but then go back in. While everyone was screaming, running past them they were going in. Why? Because human life is valuable and important. My mind can't even wrap around the courage one must have to put your own life at risk for another and another and another. I felt SO helpless. I wanted to do something to help. All I knew to do was pray, pray, pray then pray some more. 

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 71:20-21

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

Proverbs 14:32 

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge.

Isaiah 25:8 

He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 54:10

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Lamentations 3:31-33 For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Revelation 21:4 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 

On that day it did not feel like God had blessed America. But he had and continues to do so that is why so many want to destroy us. In times like these many will rush to their local church, fall to their knees praying and call on God to help them to have mercy on them to heal them. It seems to be human nature to automatically turn to God in times of grief and pain. 

Dear Service Men and Women,

 How do I begin to thank you for defending our country and our freedom. I could never thank you enough or in the right way. Because of you I am able to freely talk about God and share the love of Christ, because of you I am able to have more than one child, because of you I am FREE, my children are FREE, my friends and family are FREE. Can anyone really thank you enough for that? Your wives, children, parents and siblings have sacrificed so much too. I thank them for being your strong support, the thing that keeps you going when you are weary and want to give up when you start to question if anyone even cares about the job you are doing. Your families are sacrificing for my family. And for that I thank them and you both. My mind cannot even comprehend the courage you have and bravery you must demonstrate every day. I don't know how to thank you so I will pray for you and yours and teach my children to do the same. I will teach them to always respect you.

Thank you,

Kristy Dixon

God bless America,
Land that I love,
Stand beside her and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above;

From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam,
God bless America,
My home, sweet home.God bless America,
 My home, sweet home.