Most folks of my parents’ generation remember exactly where they were when they heard the news that JFK had been shot. For my generation, we remember where we were on September 11, 2001.
I sat in a roomful of women where we had gathered for Bible study. The church secretary interrupted our meeting to tell us what had happened and to ask us to pray, which we did immediately. Unaware of the extent of the attacks, we simply prayed for God’s providence to prevail, and asked him to comfort those affected by acts of terrorism.
Being a newlywed and rookie military wife, my first thought went to my husband. He had just become mission qualified, and was on his first long temporary duty trip (TDY) as a pilot on the C-5 Galaxy. He told me that he was in Egypt, and the crew carried ravens (military police officers) “just in case.” I hadn’t heard from him in a couple days.
I left Bible study, and raced to a nearby friend’s house to turn on the TV, where I saw images of Egyptians dancing in the streets and celebrating the demise of Americans. This was where my husband’s first mission had taken him.
I took a deep breath and whispered a silent prayer: “Lord, keep my husband from danger or harm. Bring him home safely. I’m not ready to be a widow. Yet, not my will, but yours be done.”
As I drove home, a large line of cars lined the highway nearing the exit to the base. Military police were searching vehicles and thoroughly checking ID’s, even to get into base housing. As I waited, my mind began to wander. Was he on the ground? In the air? Could he contact me?
When I arrived, the answering machine light blinked to indicate that I had a message. Thankfully, it was my sweet husband, telling me that he had been in the air en route to England when the attacks occurred. “Thank you, Lord.” I exhaled as I praised God for this good news. God had known my husband’s location all along safely in the palm of His capable hand.
Lord, keep me safely in the center of your will, even if dangers surround.
“The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8)