10 years.

Brian and I spent a lot of time watching coverage of the World Trade Center memorial this morning. I was taken back to that day 10 years ago and have realized again what an amazing country we live in.

I get tired of politics. I do have views and opinions that I have no intention of sharing on my blog, but overall, I believe that politics (not government) can sometimes hurt the integrity of our country. This said, as I watched President Obama walk with President Bush this morning at the memorial ceremony, I was thankful for the sense of togetherness.. that we as a country can put aside politics for a day and remember   people who were sacrificed for the sake of our freedom. 

Both President Bush and President Obama's speeches at the memorial were great- both respectful and historical, but I was truly impressed with Obama's tribute. It was simple and to the point. It gave glory where glory was due.

The entirety of his speech is followed:

^"1 God is our refuge and strength,
   an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
   and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
   and the mountains quake with their surging.
 ⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
   God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
   he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
 ⁷ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress.
 ⁸ Come and see what the LORD has done,
   the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease
   to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.”
 ¹¹ The LORD Almighty is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress."
Psalm 46

As I listened to the president speak, it made me so thankful to live in this country. Praise the Lord that God is our Ever-Present Help and that He knows the destiny of our country and of the people effected by September 11 far before the attacks happened. Praise the Lord that our country gives us a freedom of religion that allows us to stand bold and say "He is God." Even in this day of great sadness and remembrance, praise the Lord that He is "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."