A question I have heard asked of someone who suffered a terrible loss in his personal life was, "Will this make you better or bitter?" It's a question I ask of our country on this, the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001.
Have we made good choices, as a nation, in the past ten years? Was the decision to retaliate the best course of action, given the toil it has taken? The cost is measured not just in dollars, trillions of them, but in horrific loss of human life and limb. Several thousand U.S. military personnel have died, along with well over 100,000 civilians in the Middle East. The passage of another 50 to 100 years will give us a better perspective on the success of the so-called war on terror. In other words, time will tell.
But in the process of it all, has the soul and spirit of our country been damaged? Do we, collectively, continue to feel the impact of the attack, causing us to fear and worry? The grieving process has been long and difficult, but after ten years, we should all have permission to believe it is time for healing to get into full swing.
Commemorating the bravery of the firemen and other rescue personnel who labored selflessly during and after the event is a good way to remind ourselves what is best about human nature and will help us overcome feelings of defeat and loss. Incessant focus on a lurking enemy, harboring constant fear of when the next attack might be and fomenting distrust is not a good way to heal, and will not make us better. Let us please leave the worst behind and move forward.
Let us focus, instead, on what is recorded in the book of Philippians, "....whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things....and the God of peace will be with you." (verses 8-9)
There is good in the world, and many reasons to remain hopeful and joyful. Concentrating our thoughts on the best, on an overcoming spirit within us, is the way to peace and healing. Focusing on the worst, is the path to bitterness. Better or bitter? I choose better, don't you?
Sister Terry, the Ozark Uncle is about to finish your book, "The Least of These". Several times while reading he has thought of how your vision and his image of Jesus differ so greatly. That's why the Ozark Uncle needs your persistent message of hope because he is way too cynical--has been for most of his life. He has several draft blog postings (all cynical) that he will release eventually. One was penned right after bin laden was killed--it raises the question of whether he really did win the battle--certainly, cynical view or not, the Ozark Uncle feels that he stole a decade from our country--but good can only start once the worst has happened--at that point, there's only one way to go, and that is up!
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