God's Wake Up Call of 9/11

Ten years ago, on Tuesday, 9/11/01, I was so excited to take Entrusted with a Child’s Heart biblical parenting class for the first time! I was at a crossroads in my personal life, looking for direction, guidance and any glimpse of hope in my messy and complex life. At age 33, I was an overwhelmed mom of three kids - then ages six, five and four - one girl and two boys.

I was trying so hard to hold it all together…
A struggling marriage.
A failed business.
Drained finances.
Major career choices.
And three healthy, beautiful, and very active children, needing their mom in so many ways. The problem was that I was just exhausted from the daily battles of everyday life…

I dropped our kids off at school that morning and headed to church by 8:45am, excited to meet my Small Group of moms. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had been in different Bible studies and small groups before and had read many parenting books and magazines. I really hoped this class was going to be different and life-changing…

As we were about to start our first class, the breaking news was broadcast on the big screen. There was an accident - a plane crash - the Twin Towers collapsing right before our eyes. It was unbelievable and so difficult to mentally process! I wondered if we were in physical danger, if I should pick up my kids from school, or if I should go stock up on water bottles and food in case our country was under attack. The memory of that day became a blur as everyone was glued to their TV sets for updates and worried for their safety, ultimately for their lives.

Our class was cancelled and everyone was sent home until the next week, Lord willing. As I left the parking lot, I began to think, review, evaluate, and question – What was really important in my life? What was I living for? What were my true priorities and did my life match them? If my life unexpectedly ended today, would I be ready? It was a time of deep introspection, a time of seeking God for specific direction. 9/11 was a wake-up call for me to live intentionally, without regret and to wholeheartedly become a godly wife and mom.

The following week in the introductory lesson of Entrusted with a Child's Heart, Betsy shared her personal testimony and her passion for a revival in families. She had two simple requirements for all the moms who wanted to take this class: 1.) To be completely committed to Scripture Memory and 2.) To be willing to hear what God would say, to be teachable.  She ended with a powerful insight: “Mothering is the hardest job you are ever going to love!”

I am excited to be taking the class again – for my 6th year! Ten years and now as a mom of six kids, ages 4 to 17, I am so glad for God’s wake-up call on 9/11/01 and the blessing of Entrusted with a Child’s Heart, which has taught me how to prioritize my life and live out God’s Word in parenting my precious children, because “Every Day Counts”!

“And we also thank God continually because,
when you received the word of God, which you heard from us,
you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is,
the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13