This is a question I'm sure we'll all be able to answer for years to come. I had actually been looking forward to September 11th since June because that was the day Michael W. Smith's new praise and worship album, Worship, was released. My husband and I were among the 9,000 in attendance in Lakeland, Florida for the recording of this project. The experience of being there live was an awesome one and the bright, sunny morning of September 11th found me excitedly anticipating picking up our pre-ordered copy of the album later that day. Soon those thoughts were pushed to the back of my mind. As I sat at home waiting for the plumber to arrive, I read a couple chapters of a book. When our plumber got to my house he asked, "You're not watching the news?" Then he proceeded to tell me about the planes crashing into the WTC. At first, I thought it had to be some sort of accident. Never did it cross my mind that it was a terrorist attack. Soon after he left, my husband called me and told me about the Pentagon. I was truly in shock, and I was glued to the television for rest of the day. Watching the replays of the crashes into the WTC, I remember thinking that it looked like something that should have been a special effect in a movie... not something that had actually happened.

Although I didn't personally know anyone who was lost that day, I felt for each and every person I saw on the various television channels who were desperately searching for their loved ones, or who already knew they had lost someone so precious and dear to them.

Recently, on PBS, I watched an episode of Frontline that dealt with the spiritual effects of September 11th. It was so sad to hear about so many whose faith has been shattered, or negatively altered, as a result of these terrorist attacks. Did this horrific event alter your faith in any way? Do you still trust in God? For me, my faith was never shattered. Something this horrible is most certainly extremely difficult, if not impossible, to understand the "why" of it. But, I think that is where faith comes in... faith that we, in our limited human capacity, aren't going to understand everything.

As I was preparing to write this article, a prayer that was one of my maternal grandmother's favorites came to mind. In conclusion, I'd like to share it with all of you.

Peace in Christ,
Melissa Knoblett-Aman