Moments in Time

The history of our lives tends to be marked by moments in time. We seldom dwell on long eras of time, but are acutely aware of particular events that puncture the mundane of our lives. Sometimes they simply register a significant event to be remembered. At other times they radically alter the course of our lives. When I think back over the course of my life I seldom think in terms of months or years, but of moments.

I remember climbing into a tractor-trailer to ride with my grandfather when we were moving to Tennessee when I was six years old. I remember gazing out the window while my imagination expanded as my fifth-grade teacher read The Black Stallion to her class. I remember the first play that I ran at football practice in Monroe, Louisiana in August 1973. I remember watching Jan start down the aisle on our wedding day. Life is like that. When we look back we see a series of snapshots . . . each one an important event that left an indelible impression.

Our national history is the same. We remember it through moments in time. The surrender of the British at Yorktown. The discovery of electricity. The assassination of President Lincoln. The attack on Pearl Harbor or the death of President Kennedy.

The current generation will never forget the attacks on September 11, 2001. I vividly remember where I was when I saw the first tower fall. I am sure it is the same for most of you. For weeks we were glued to our televisions soaking up news related to those moments in time on 9-11.

Moments in time. Some of the most significant things that happen to us do so in short, unexpected moments of surprise. We tend to look only to the past when we think this way. It might be helpful to also consider the future. There will be other moments in time that will further mark the passage of this nation and of our lives. Are we ready nationally? Are you ready personally?