Giving Thanks to God At Midnight

Tonight, there was a birthday party for Ben, the only boy in the group. He's a very interesting person, a good singer and actor, very good at French, Jewish and exploring secular quakerism. I stayed a little longer than expected. It was past 23h00; all the stores had closed, and the restaurants were wiping off their tables and stacking their chairs. 


Before we went our separate ways, Tiffany and Leslie gave me a quick self-defense 101. At around 23h20, they headed back to the Maisonette and I trekked back here. I gripped my keys in one hand, my cell phone in the other. And I was praying all the way. I was scared. 


I had one more corner to turn when I heard a thick untame "HEY!" and drunk giggles. At first, I thought it was coming from the shop I was striding past. Then all of a sudden, something smacked my forehead from above and fell to the ground. Thinking that a pin had pierced my skin, I gently touched my forehead but found no injury. Two more attempts. They missed. Still, they continued to laugh the loser's laugh. I was shaken; I was furious; I wanted to curse the hell outta them, give them the finger and shout 'up yours, you f***ing immature a**holes,' but I didn't. I walked on as the hoarse cry and boozy laughter of bystanders strayed away behind me like lost sheep.


As I entered the apartment, the noise grew louder and louder. Were they outside? Or was it in my head? 


Immediately, I ran to close the window and draw the curtains. I opened up iTunes and started my favorite Christian songs. 


I wondered for a moment why God hadn't protected me. But, in fact, He had. They were on the third/fourth floor and not nipping at my heels. They hadn't dropped a brick on my head, dumped alcohol out the window, or spat at me. And, I was literally 30 seconds away from my apartment (although 30 seconds had never felt longer). I wasn't injured. I wasn't close to death. I was merely close to mockery, and my pride hurt.


Death didn't come knocking on the door tonight. And, thanks to Jesus, it never will. I'm still alive and always will be. I have, live, experience, cherish life, life abundant, and life eternal.  


Thanks for your prayers. God is here. He is alive. And He is moving. Fast.