With God’s Help

I was suddenly awakened by the sound of glass shattering against the kitchen wall downstairs in my aunt's house. It was during one of my mother's annual summer trips to visit family. My mother's sister had not been lucky in love and had married a raging alcoholic. He came home after an all-night bender.

I was 10 years old at the time. I jumped out of bed. My older cousin was already in the hallway, headed downstairs, and I followed. My uncle continued to hurl bottles against the kitchen wall, cursing all the while. As my cousin tried to get him to stop, my uncle came at us, looking for a fight.

All of a sudden, he pulled a revolver out of his pants pocket and fired two shots into the ceiling. My cousin tackled him and wrestled him to the ground. The gun fell from my uncle's hand as he was pinned to the floor. My cousin screamed for me to grab the gun and put it out of reach. I did as I was told. I have never been so scared. Although I was too young to sort through my feelings, I knew I never wanted to visit my aunt again.

Even now, all these years later, I still carry the memory of that night. I have come to realize that God was watching over me. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations not of our own choosing. When we do, we become desperate to find a way out.

I have discovered that with a little prayer and by remembering God's promise, "I will see you through," I can face another day. No matter what you are facing today—whether it's loneliness, disappointment, a lack of encouragement from loved ones, or uncertainty—God will walk with you to the other side.

I had a Friend that night I didn't even know about. But He knew about me. We all are in need of God's help. He has promised that He will be there whenever we ask.

Just a Thought, Not a Sermon