He who dwells in the shelter of Elyon [God Most High],
will abide in the shadow of Shaddai [the All-Efficient One],
I will say of ADONAI [the LORD],
“He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:1-2, TLV

Still a Miracle.      I missed the anniversary of one of the watermark miracles in my life. For those who don’t remember or are aware, here’s my Facebook post from January 10, 2016:

Yesterday [January 9, 2016], at 1:26pm I was Robbed at Gunpoint.

As I type these words, it still feels surreal. And as I process the event, I realize how easy it would be to turn this into a political issue, or a statement on the darkness of this world, but it was so much more than that.

What Happened.

First, what happened: My friend, Cathy and I were traveling back from our writing retreat at the Jersey shore. We decided to stop in Vineland, NJ for some lunch. Our plan had been to do a little shopping at @Ulta at the Springfield Mall close to my home, but lo and behold there was an Ulta store in the Cumberland Mall next to where we ate.

We had a lovely experience with the young woman who helped us—who turned out to be a Christian and Zionist—then walked back to my car with our purchases.

My vehicle was packed with our bags and other packages from a week-long retreat. Our clothes hung like curtains from the backseat car rack.

I couldn’t find my cell. So, I opened the back door on the driver’s side and placed my purse on top of a suitcase on the floor, and leaned over to search for it.

I asked Cathy to call my cell to see if it was in my purse. As I searched, I felt something tapping me on my back and thought that it was the clothes hangers. Finally, the phone rang in my purse, just as I felt the tapping again. I straightened and turned and there was a young man—not much taller than me—with a gun. He made sure I saw that he had a gun.

I remembered thinking two things. One: “Oh man! Not now!” Two: “Do Glocks come in silver?”

He motioned toward my purse and whispered something. I hesitated, then reached for my little wallet. I remembered a scene from the movie War Room and I turned toward him and said, “Jesus loves you. He wouldn’t want you to do this.”

Abiding the Shaddai’s Shadow

Cathy asked me if I had found my phone yet. I assured her I had. Thankfully, because of the curtain of clothing hanging where it did, she had no idea what was going on. She only heard bits and pieces of my side of the conversation.

I pulled all the cash from my wallet—$12.00—and handed it to him. I apologized that it wasn’t more. He rolled his eyes and asked for my car keys. I whispered, “You’re taking my car? You’re leaving us stranded?”

“No. Please.”

He motioned the gun toward Cathy and said he would kill her.

I said, “No. Please. She just got over cancer. She almost died.” But I handed him the keys.

I think I either repeated what I said, or I said that Jesus loved him. Perhaps both. I tried making eye contact with him throughout. His gaze was mostly everywhere but to me.

At the mention of my friend’s wellbeing, he looked briefly at me then looked down.

Cathy told me later that I kept saying Jesus loves you.

The Young Man’s Choice

The young man handed me back the keys. He paused as though not sure what to do next. I thanked him and patted him on the shoulder and repeated one last time, “Jesus loves you.”

He turned and walked away.

Then, I was Nervous.

Shaking, I shut the door, opened the driver’s side door and started the car.

Cathy asked me if I was okay. I think I said something like, just a minute. Frankly, I was afraid that the young man would change his mind and return, so I wanted to get out of there.

Finally, I was able to tell Cathy what had just happened.

Cathy prayed as I drove back onto Highway 55. We thanked the Lord for His protection. We prayed for that young man that God would touch his heart and change his life from that moment on. We prayed for miles and miles. We talked, then prayed some more.

Grateful

I was so grateful—am so grateful. Grateful for God’s protection of my friend and me. Grateful for the young man’s mercy and that in the midst of evil plans, he made the right choice to stop. Grateful that my friend did not have to see all this happening. Grateful to be able to go home and hug and kiss my husband.

One Regret

There was one thing I did not do that I wish I had and that was report the crime immediately. My husband and nephew, Josh—a former deputy—encouraged me to do that. So, I called Vineland police. The officer was kind, but also admonished me that they had a better chance of finding the guy had I done so. I gave him a description of the young man and relayed the details, including all I said about Jesus and my friend.

Still, because I had asked Cathy to call my phone, I had the exact time the incident occurred, 1:26pm. They were able to find the event on the video tape quickly. The officer called me last night and said the case has been referred to the detectives and they would follow up from here.

My nephew helped me by asking questions law enforcement officers ask victims. It has helped me process. This morning when I first awoke, I remembered to forgive the young man and prayed again for his salvation and that his life would change for God’s glory.

I’m sure there is more for Cathy and me to process, and I would appreciate your prayers for us and our families as we do this; but please, as you pray, please remember this young man. Pray for him.

Usually, I pray for that young man each anniversary, or when the LORD might bring the young man to mind. And, I ask you, dear friends, to remember him and his family, too. That one day, because of Yeshua’s redemption we will meet in heaven and hug and rejoice together for that divine meeting. Amen?

Think More About It

Have you ever had something bad happen where you clearly saw the hand of God? How do you remember and make note of that miracle?

Until tomorrow, may those life-changing miracles truly change your life.

Pray for Israel

ADONAI [the LORD] is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer.
My God is my rock, in Him I take refuge,
my shield, my horn of salvation, my stronghold.
I called upon ADONAI, worthy of praise,
and I was rescued from my enemies. Psalm 18:3-4, TLV

As I write this Israel and Hamas are in the early stages of negotiations for a ceasefire and for the gradual release of the hostages. When this devotion is published the first group of hostages will be released. Let’s pray this prayer together for all concerned—hostages, soldiers, leadership, families—to see the end of warfare and the beginning of healing and peace.

Knowing what I know about history and human nature, most likely it won’t go as smoothly as we hope. But we must fix our eyes on our Rock. Fortress. Deliverer. Amen? God bless you.