It was 5:10 a.m. as I made my way across the barely lit parking lot. I spotted a man hanging around the grocery store at a nearby bench.
The bench attracted a wide variety of people. Workers on break smoking a cigarette, some complaining, few smiles. Then there were the homeless who always asked for a quarter to get a smoke. But this man looked suspicious as he eyed me from his position on the sidewalk.
I made an attempt to create distance and found myself tumbling to the ground. Instinctively I rolled to protect my middle aged bones. I sat for a few seconds, stunned. Then I remembered the stranger and propped myself up as quick as I could muster. I figured the stranger would do one of two things. Only God knew his intentions and I feared the worse. I reasoned that he could surprise me and run to my aid.
It was a bittersweet mixture of relief and chagrin as I saw him turn his back.
Awww, the great pretense. See nothing, hear nothing.
I made a grateful assessment that I had no serious injuries. Not even a scrape. And my phone was intact.
This may be insignificant, but there is a lot going on in my world. I feel that ALL events are a lesson here on Earth. What was my lesson here I wondered.
My heart heard comfort. I have been in far worse times. And God has shown me time and again that I am never alone. Not sprawled out on dark pavement, not in the midst of the unknown future.
I may stumble and grope but I need fear no evil. For I serve a mighty God. He keeps on loving and never lets go.
