Remembering 9/11

Helping children learn about God's care

Do you remember last September 11th? Some kids were afraid and sad and even angry. Lots of kids prayed. Maybe you did, too. Now, a year later, everyone is thinking back to that day. Remembering.

What do you want to remember?

The most important thing is to remember God.

God has enough love to take care of everyone, to be a perfect Father-Mother to all the kids and all the grown-ups.

God is Life. So everyone is held in the arms of Life forever. God will never let us go, no matter what happens.

God is good and more powerful than anything hateful or evil. God is, in fact, omnipotent. That means He has all the power there is.

There's a promise in the Bible that is a promise for us today. God says, "You shall be my people, and I will be your God" (Jer. 30:22). He is telling us that we can trust Him to take care of all of us.

There's a wonderful story in the Bible that shows how God does this. A king sent out lots of soldiers with horses and chariots to capture a man named Elisha.

They circled the place where Elisha stayed, intending to take him prisoner. Elisha was not afraid, because he knew that God was there, and so he was safe.

But Elisha's servant was afraid. So Elisha prayed. He didn't want God to destroy his enemies, but he prayed that his servant could see that God was right there. God answered the prayer and showed the servant His presence and power all around them. The servant wasn't afraid anymore. As it turned out, both men were safe. God made certain the enemy couldn't find them (see II Kings 6).

God was taking care of Elisha and his servant, even when it didn't seem that He was. God showed them He was right there and that they were safe. God is the same God today, taking care of us, keeping us safe, and showing us that we're safe. We know we can trust God and not be afraid.

There's another way to remember 9/11. On that day and for days afterward, so many people showed so much courage. They did amazing, unselfish things to help others. They were showing God's love by doing His loving right there "on the spot." You can do this, too, every day. Then you'll be remembering the rescue workers by carrying on their work of helping others.

Even if the situations are different, each of us can be unselfish and courageous in helping others. Some kids are trying to be more alert to other kids who need help and support and giving it to them. I heard about a girl who made friends with a kid who was always alone. She got to know him and got to like him. He's not alone anymore. He has a friend.

You might be thinking, "I don't know if I can be like that." Of course you can. God made you exactly right to do His loving. He gives you the courage and unselfishness to love and help others. He'll show you how.

Lots of special events are planned for this September 11th. Special church services, programs on TV, concerts, and of course there will be flags flying in every city. But the most important thing you can do that day is to take some time to pray.

You can think about how much you love God and how much He loves you and everyone – all over the world. Think about how He helps us to be safe and to know how to help others when they need help. Tell God how grateful you are for His love.

Will your prayer make a difference? It will. It acts like a light that shines to help someone else see that God is right here and loving us. You'll be like Elisha, helping someone else know that God is taking care of us. Even a small light makes a difference. Think of what will happen when lots of us are praying.

Children of light,

you are not children

of darkness.

Let your light shine.

Mary Baker Eddy

(founder of the Monitor)