Terrified and then Comforted

Early this morning, around 1:35 am, I was awakened by the sound of screeching tires and an impact. About two seconds later, there was a loud popping sound accompanied by a terrifying blast of blinding white light that filled my room. I sensed that it was coming from a place not very far outside my window. A few seconds after that, I was scared again by a second pop and blinding blast of light. I jumped to my feet--frightened--trying to figure out what had just happened. I didn't know what to do. I was scared to be near a window in case another blast occurred, thinking that glass would shatter from the force of it. Not long after that, there was a third blast of light, but not as strong as the first two (and no broken glass). I was terrified. My mind was racing to make sense of it--to find some category for what was happening. I was afraid to turn the light on in my room because I didn't know if what I was hearing were gunshots or bomb blasts and I didn't want to call attention to my window from outside. Instinctively, I picked up my cell phone to call eSuitor. His was a very comforting voice to hear, and he stayed on the line with me while I shuffled around in the darkness of my room, trying to figure out what in the world was going on. My voice was quivering with fear. He asked me if I saw anything outside my window. At first I didn't, but soon, I heard voices outside and saw my neighbors congregating on the sidewalk. Not long after that, emergency crews came, and I heard one of them yell out, "Stay back, there is a live wire down!" My neighbors scurried back, so as to avoid being in danger. I went outside to join them after a couple of minutes, and they told me that a driver hit an electrical pole (and then got out of the car and fled) and it blew a transformer on not one, but two posts. Thus, the multiple popping sounds and blasts of light. Even though my head was coming to grips with what had happened, my emotions were still reeling, and I didn't know if I would be safe staying in my apartment. eSuitor told me to come down to his apartment where I felt much safer. Always the gentleman, he offered me his bed while he slept on the sofa. I laid in bed, my mind still spinning for at least another hour before my body finally gave way to sleep. Much needed sleep.



Thank You, God, for protecting me and keeping me safe.



"He is a shield for all who take refuge in him." ~Psalm 18:30