Isn’t it funny the memories you have from when you were young? I can’t exactly recall my first memory. I can, however, remember a time I crashed my go-cart into a tree and really bruised my knees up. I can remember a time winning a huge competition with my dance team when I was around 12-years-old, and how excited we all were.

I was seven years old when the tragedy of September 11, 2001 swept through our nation. I can’t remember exactly what I was doing when I heard the news, but I can remember a few key points about that day. I can remember the teachers being so upset but being cautious not to scare me and all the other children that couldn’t comprehend what was going on. How do you even begin to explain that sort of tragedy to a child? I remember wanting to leave school because I felt uncomfortable and that everyone was acting weird. I felt this irresistible urge to go home and be with my parents and I didn’t know why. I was a child. I didn’t understand.

I recently asked my mom what she remembered about the tragedy that hit our country that day. She said “It was terrible. I do remember it brought our country together. Everyone was praying for the lives lost and their families.” She remembered exactly where she was and what she was doing in that moment; her work brought all of the employees into the main office and let them watch the devastating news on TV. Just like her place of work, the whole country stood still in that moment. That day the country had some sort of sense of unity.

It wasn’t until I was a little older that I could comprehend what happened. On September 11, 2001, our country changed the way we look at terrorists forever. Associates with an Islamic extremist group hijacked four airliners and then carried out suicide attacks against national targets in the United States. Two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The third plane hit the Pentagon outside of Washington, D.C. And the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.

Our country often refers to this extreme attack as 9/11.

So how? Why? How could our God let something like this happen? How could almost 3,000 people die during these attacks? How could all of this destruction occur? How could something that shocked the whole nation so much result in changing attitudes and constant concerns about our safety? How could something so extreme happen to the point where we are still remembering it 15 years later? Why does God allow such tragedy and suffering?

I’m 22-years-old and I don’t have it all figured out. I learn something new everyday but I know that God should never be blamed for the bad things that happen in the world. Don’t blame him. Think of yourself. You can choose to do well in the world or you can choose to do bad. However, It’s your choice. It’s so unfair for you to do bad and then blame God for your actions.

Today, I am thinking about this tragedy and remembering the lives of everyone who was lost. I’m praying for them and I’m trusting in God. I'm not saying this tragedy ever should have happened, I do not believe that at all. I know it was devastating but to see the nation come together, pray for each other, and share love in remembrance for this day, we wouldn't know that without first feeling pain and suffering.

John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I think we sometimes forget to stop and think about 9/11 and the fact that it affected our nation so deeply. I know I am guilty. So on 9/11 2016, when you’re thinking about the house you go home to, bed you get to sleep in, the food on your plate, and your saying your nightly prayers, then be thankful because some people can only think of how 9/11 2001 and how that has affected them so deeply. Take a moment out of your day to pray for all the families affected and even think about how our nation and how it has changed by this tragedy. Remember 9/11 and pray.