I Was Scared, But Not Fearful

 

I Was Scared, But Not Fearful

 “Drive by shooting I witnessed on my way to work, happened outside the school. Police are here, Doesn’t sound like anyone was hit/injured from the school”

I wake up Wednesday the 14^th, Valentines day to this text from my daughter who works as an elementary school counselor in the south side of Chicago.

Was I scared? Yes. Was I full of fear and calling her? No. She had to talk to the police. Did I text her back? Yes. I said Oh no. You saw a shooter? Praying for safety always! You okay? Her response I’m good, already talked to police.

I knew this could possibly make her day very busy, if the children had witnessed anything, so I asked her to call me later in the day.

My parents were sitting in the living room. My dad watches news first thing in the morning. I don’t think that’s the healthiest way to start one’s day, but that’s just me. I told them about the text and my dad starts to check the news for “the shooting”. I told him no one was injured and unfortunately it was another shooting going on in Chicago. No headlines. Almost as if it was another car break in, or minor “crime”.

I went back to my room and tried to continue in reading God’s Word. I stopped. I knew, the few moments earlier, my whole life could of gone in another direction. I was so calm, because I got a text telling me “I’m good”. I started to think of how things could’ve gone. How children, and innocent people could’ve lost their lives and my daughter…..my daughter, what if I would have never been able to hear her voice or see her on facetime again? Every day that is some ones reality….they don’t get to see their loved one again, or hear their voice or hug them.

That was not my reality that morning. I praised God. I got a little shaky. He reminded me how quickly life can change and change us.

I know how fear can grip a person…I used to be that person. So many “what if’s “ would grip me with fear. So many things that never happened would take over. NOT THIS TIME!!!!  Oh no I have grown. God’s Word and His Truth I carry with me….I actually have a prescription for fear that has helped me through. This wasn’t going to be about offering it to you, but if you would like to receive the prescription for fear just message me and I’ll get it out to you. (I always want to share things that have helped me along life’s way)

This was about how life can be and is scary. We live in a world with such evil. We also live in a world with much good.

Jesus Words: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10

As long as I am walking with Jesus, and have His Word in my heart and on my mind, I’m not going to that place full of fear. Was I scared? do I get scared at times? Yes, of course I do. I’m sure you do to….but we don’t have to live in fear, but live a life of abundance in Jesus Christ.

My daughter called me when she got home from work and she said the words…”Today was a good day”. I laughed and said oh yes, you were walking down the street to work and saw a man hanging out a car shooting, yes that was a good day.  I turned it around and said actually it was a great day…no one was hurt and the shooters were caught.

The pastor where I go to church is always reminding us we never know when our time here is up….and what are we doing with the time we have here? Great question. He has challenged me more than once with his messages. The message of do I care enough about others to tell them about Jesus and His love so they can become a part of God’s family? I want nothing else but to see my friends and family in the presence of God while on this earth and when our time here is no more.

Again, message me if you don’t know Jesus Love for you and how to become a part of God’s family.

Without Fear,

Eva