On Wednesday I will be doing something I never expected to do. I have a board meeting that I will be attending in Irvine, CA so I will fly out to the meeting in the morning and fly back in the evening after it is over. This isn't unusual as I have been a part of this board for four years now and have these meetings about five times a year. What is different for me this time is that I will be flying twice on 9/11. For me it is hard to believe it has been 18 years since that tragic day. Most of our students were not born yet and they have grown up in a post 9/11 world.
I remember a few different things about that day. I was the dean of students at Walther Lutheran HS just outside of Chicago at the time. The second tower was hit just after school started. Many of our students saw the coverage of what was taking place in their classrooms with their teachers. It was an incredibly somber morning in a place that was usually full of life and energy. By mid-day I had asked all of the teachers to turn off the coverage as the students were overloaded.
Another thing I remember was going out to football practice after school. We were located less than five miles from O'Hare airport, which at the time was the busiest airport in the country. We were used to planes flying over the school continually. It was very quiet out on the football field as all the planes had been grounded.
So on Wednesday as I board two different flights I will think about that day 18 years ago. Another thing I will think about is Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." I am reminded that flying on Wednesday should be no different than it has been any other day. I am also reminded that no matter what day it is, or no matter what has happened on this date or any other day, Jesus is the same. We can take comfort in this and know that through all things He is with us.
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