My Strong Tower

This is a tad bit formal due to it actually being turned in as homework, nonetheless I thought you'd enjoy.

My Strong Tower

On March 27, 2012 I experienced something that I am not taking pride in, I am not fearful of, and I am not shameful of. The only words I could begin to describe my state would be quoting Galatians 6:14, “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” This can begin to express how I was feeling that night.

I’d been talking to my friend Anna, conversing over some things happening in our Bible study. It was around 10:30, I had permission to talk to Anna after her cellular curfew, and I was kind of getting lost in the pouring of my heart. Anyway, I cannot stay still when I talk passionately, so I walked to the front of the yarn shop near the highway up my street. There was a bench there, the same one I’ve sat on, prayed on, thought on, and cried on so many times. As I sat talking, I could see in my peripheral vision a figure slowly walking toward me. Instinctively I leisurely stood up and tried to express to the figure through my body language that I wasn’t scared, nor was I welcoming his presence. I continued talking to Anna, changing subject to something I wouldn’t have to think about that much.

I could see clearly now the person did not intend on leaving my bench. I had been pacing back and forth while talking to Anna, and as I did I moved farther and farther from the man. Finally I slowly made to go and turned toward the street from the parking lot. As I walked I heard an object whistling through the air and I tensed. Tumbling end over end I glanced back and saw a box of rotten vegetables clearly thrown at me by the dark figure. Shrugging it off as not to further anger the subject I turned and kept walking.

Walking slowly in the direction of my house I glanced around for something reflective. Glancing around I saw a metallic object wrapped around a telephone pole. Discreetly peering at it as I walked I could see the subject quickly following me. While all this commenced I had still been talking to Anna, keeping her unaware that I was worried in case the man would hear me. Anyway, I slowly turned around and lowered my phone clicking the end call button as I did.

I faced the man asking, “Hey man can I help you?”

Walking closer to me, close enough that I could smell the nicotine on his breath he exhaled deeply. I tried to keep from choking and coughing as he said, “What’re you doing on my street?” his voice growled, but I could see he couldn’t be older than twenty.

Replying as calmly as possible I said, “I live here.”

“Which house?” he replied

Worriedly I reapplied, “I don’t have to tell you that.”

“Why Not?”

“Why should I”

“Why not?” he repeated.

I knew what he wanted but I replied, “I’m sorry I don’t understand.”

Then the man reached into his coat, a place I had visually checked earlier, and kept his hand their, insinuated that he had a firearm. However, I knew he did not, I looked there earlier, and the coat he was wearing was tight, I knew he didn’t have a gun.

Then he said threateningly, “Go back to your spot, the bench, now.”

Slowly I walked up the hill toward the bench glancing back to see him watching with his hand still hidden in his coat.

Finally I reached the bench, and stood behind a large dement pole. From this defensive position I looked toward the man and watched him turn onto another street heading toward a residential area. Slowly then, I walked, making sure he could not see me toward my house. On the way I redialed my phone.

Anna answered saying, “You get mugged?”

“Sure, something like that.” I replied.

The one thing I can take pride in from this story, is the cross of Jesus Christ. For he kept me safe, and never once during this time, did I doubt, for I knew my Lord was with me. It says in his word,

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” –Proverbs 18:10