I wonder if I am the only American who did not consciously think of it being 9/11 today. It isn’t that I didn’t think about it at all, I just didn’t dwell on it all day. There were times when it would hit me, “Today is September 11.”

This morning we walked in the church service a little late and the pastor had asked everyone to stand while he was talking about the anniversary of 9/11. He then asked all the people who had or were serving in the armed forces or law enforcement to sit down, and for those standing near them to put their hands on those seated and pray over and for them.  For those not near enough to touch, they were asked to just pray silently.

I confess, I did not close my eyes. I let them roam around the room at will. I was moved to tears by the men seated. Just knowing they willingly lay their life on the line for me astounds me.

It didn’t help matters one iota when we followed that up with the great hymn of the faith, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” While I was silently sobbing and the congregation was singing I felt the Lord speak to my very soul, “If their sacrifice moves you this much, think of the sacrifice I made for you.”  So I pondered that. I pondered why it is so easy to tell police officers and military personnel “Thank you” and be moved to tears just saying it, when I can think about Jesus and His horrific death and not shed a tear.

Maybe it’s because I know He’s God. But on that day, He was fully man. Not that He wasn’t fully man from the moment of His conception, He was. But this was a sacrifice He chose to make and He refused to allow His diety, His very God-ness to give  Him a reprieve from the pain. He felt it all.

I think that is what Philippians 2:5-11 is talking about. Yes it is talking about His service to us, His selflessness, and it is those very things that drove Him to the cross for us.

I’ve been hearing a lot about the book “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp. I haven’t read it but I’ve been enjoying her blog. She does a blog tour of sorts called Multitudes on Monday.  This is one of my One Thousand Gifts. I am blessed beyond measure by the gifts given to me by the military and law enforcement officials. They are a gift to me.

So please hear my heartfelt, Thank you.