Ten years ago on a beautiful Tuesday morning, America awoke to a beautiful day.  Nearly 3,000 citizens were scurrying to work; kissing their loved ones good-bye; running for the train; and dropping their children off at school.  Pilots were readying planes for a trip and passengers were standing in line to board.  Standing in the line with the other passengers were men with evil in their hearts. 

A call to board; tickets taken; bags loaded overhead; “excuse me that’s my seat;” and the expected attendants sermon of “should the pressure drop” was the norm on an abnormal morning.

Settling in with headphones; pillows bunched behind some heads; newspapers rustling; children crying; and conversations between “seat strangers” began. 

“Ready for takeoff,” the pilot said.  The weather is beautiful; the skies are blue; marshmallow clouds coming into view.

Peaceful passengers’ sleepy eyes close.   Airplane noises help them dose.

Loud noises!  People standing in aisle.  Shouting strange words.  Cringe in fright.

Knives.  “Sit and you will not be hurt.” 

Someone’s been stabbed.  Another one too.  “God help us.  What will we do?”

Hijackers?  Demands?  How long will this last?

Plane turning around – it happened so fast.

Commotions.  Children crying.  Whispers between seats.

Today is too beautiful – not a day to die.  I’m so close to heaven up here in the sky.

Evil has taken my final flight.  Why did I yell at my children last night?

“Honey I love you, tell the kids I do too” left on my recorder at home for you.

Prayers and pleadings can be heard all around.

“Let’s roll” we hear -- before we hit the ground. 

The dust has settled, all is well.  I look around – In heaven, not hell. 

Those evil men – the devil he took.  While God saw my name in his special book.

I hear my loved one crying for me. “It’s okay,” I tell them.  “I’m finally free.  Although it was hard to die that way – it’s harder for you, you have to stay.”

You must fight evil every day.

More will rise to take their place.  You rise too and evil face.  Look them in the eyes and say – “You will not win, our God is great.  We are Love, you are Hate.”

On this blue sky morning, ten years to the day – Drop to your knees and humbly pray.

“God forgive us.  Our sins are deep.  Americans were busy and many asleep.  We failed to remember you in our days.  We removed you from our culture in so many ways.  Evil is all around – protect us, we pray.  Give us a chance to show others the way.  Thank you for all you have done for us.  We are blessed beyond words – thank you, we must.  We pray for the children from 10 years ago.  Their lives were changed more than we know.  It has been hard, today will be too.  As they remember their loves who flew home to you.  May they find peace on this special day – as memorials ring out in a special way.”

Look to the skies and breathe fresh air.  Fly your flag, show you care.  Love you loved ones, hold them tight.  Stand against evil and promise to fight.  God is your leader.  He’s bigger than them.  Make a promise to yourself  -- “Never again!”  Because the Bible tells us – in the end we win.

God bless you on this 10^th Anniversary of 9/11.  Never, ever forget.   Our children are counting on us.