Sometimes it is necessary to think ahead, so I’ve been trying to make plans for September. This year brings an observance that isn’t in our liturgical calendar, and yet cannot be ignored: 9/11. Not only is this year’s date the 10th anniversary of that horrific event, it’s also a Sunday. What to do?
Thinking of how Trinity might observe this occasion brought up memories, of course. My daughter, Emily, was just in preschool at the time. I remember watching live coverage that morning, with Emily oblivious to what was on the screen. I remember dropping her off at the preschool that day, with the teachers all trying to keep up with the unfolding tragedy on small TV’s, keeping them carefully out of sight from the children, and that protection continued in the weeks ahead. It was easy to know what to share with Emily thent—nothing. She was too young to understand or to be effected by these events the way the rest of us were. Protection came easy.
But that simple answer doesn’t last long. We can’t protect our children forever from the evil and pain of the world, nor should parents try to do so. We don’t want our children to be naïve and vulnerable, offering childlike trust when trust is not deserved. Protecting them from the difficulties of the world also insures that our children will grow up self-centered and selfish—with no awareness of their own blessings or compassion for the problems of others. But on the other hand we don’t want them to grow up frightened and overwhelmed.
We know we have to tell them the truth, and fortunately Christianity can handle the truth! This world is a place of joys and sorrows. There are people to trust and people to fear. Evil is real. Be careful. But the whole truth includes the part about God’s presence and plan for redemption. There are good things and good people, inspired to do the right thing. There are reasons for hope and ways they can help. Here at Trinity we’ve shared hope with our children mostly by encouraging their participation. The Sunday School sponsors an orphan from the Buntu Community in Uganda by collecting an offering each Sunday. We have helped our children volunteer for Interfaith Community Services, even creating a service-oriented Vacation Bible School (which was actually criticized in the wider community for asking children to care!). The Youth Group has participated in the 30-Hour Famine to raise money and awareness about poverty. All these activities help form our children into the bearers of light and hope they should be.
So that’s a beginning. We have vowed to assist our children in resisting evil (and whenever they fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord). That’s part of the Baptismal Covenant. So how do we do it? How do you teach your children about the realities of evil and hope? What do you remember of the lessons of 9/11? Any thoughts?
I dare you to be the first to share!