God keeps us safe from harm
During my lunch breaks from my job as a day-care worker, I sometimes went to a park to enjoy the outdoors and read, eat, or just watch kids play. I also listened to music or the Christian Science Bible Lesson on my mp3 player. I have always enjoyed this peaceful break.
One day, a few years ago, when I was sitting on a bench enjoying the spring weather, a man whom I did not know approached me. He started talking to me and then got closer and closer. I began to feel afraid because he started to touch me. He said vulgar things and talked about having sex with me. He tried to drag me away. I tried to remember the things that I had been taught in my study of Christian Science. I knew that God is ever present and that I can never be separated from His love. The man was very aggressive and started to assault me. I knew that God gave me the strength to break away, and I was able to run for help.
When I got back to work, I was shaken and my co-workers noticed—they urged me to talk about what had happened. My supervisor called the police. An officer came and took a detailed description of the man and also made a full report of the incident. At the time, they did not seem very hopeful that this man would be caught.
While driving home with my mom that day, I talked with her about what it means to be protected by God. We also talked about needing to be clear that God’s man, made in His image and likeness (see Genesis 1:26, 27 ), cannot be evil, deceptive, or aggressive.
Little by little, I found the fear had no hold on me.
My mom and I shared some thoughts with each other about protection and being secure, whole, and free from fear. One of the songs that I often listen to includes the words “our God saves us” and this kept coming to me all day long. We wanted to be sure that we recognized I was not a victim of circumstance. I am safe always.
Several months went by, and I continued to know that I did not need to be fearful that this man would find me. I prayed daily to find the freedom to feel comfortable at the park again. Little by little, I found the fear had no hold on me. One day the same police officer who had taken my original statement came to my workplace and asked me if I could identify a suspect. I was able to identify the man right away.
I am so grateful for the laws in our country that help protect us, but even more so for God’s laws that allow each of us to be kept safe from harm.
From Cindy’s mom, Roberta Alford:
I got the call about the assault from Cindy’s supervisor. On my way to my daughter, I prayed with all my heart to know that she had not been hurt, that her innocence could not be marred. I demanded of myself to know that God was omnipotent and omnipresent! After the police officer completed his questioning, he announced that we should not be surprised if the suspect was never apprehended.
On each subsequent commute to work (I drove Cindy to work), we would declare out loud that she was permanently held in God’s arms and could not be harmed in any way. And she did not need to be hurt by the memory of the experience.
Weeks later, I was attending a business meeting at my Christian Science branch church. One of the reports given was by the representative for the institutional committee. This committee provides Christian Science church services in jails, prisons, and other institutions. They also have chaplains that are available to those incarcerated. I was so impressed with the outreach and depth of love and commitment that this committee was providing that I determined to give this activity my prayerful support daily.
The next evening I was serving in our branch church’s Christian Science Reading Room and had time to make a list of words relating to prison, captivity, arrest, etc., followed by words of healing, such as freedom, release, and redemption. I prayed to know that all prisoners are entitled to redemption. Two days later, Cindy called and said that a man was being held that might be the one from the park. She was transported in a police car to a location where the man had been handcuffed by another officer. Cindy recognized him instantly.
The next day she was interviewed by the prosecuting attorney’s office and was told that this individual had been out on parole for several years after serving over two decades in prison for several crimes including armed robbery and sexual assault. The attorney kept telling Cindy how “lucky” she had been to have been able to push the man away and run back to her workplace, based on her small size. But Cindy knew that God had given her the strength. The investigating detective praised Cindy for her attention to detail. She had given a clear and accurate description of the man several months earlier, which matched the suspect perfectly. She remained calm and alert through the lengthy questioning each time. The man was charged with several counts and recently accepted a plea bargain that puts him back in prison for a number of years. We trust he will find the help he needs.
Cindy and I have rejoiced in her protection, and also in the fact that this man is a child of God as well. My daughter has not had recurring feelings of anger or fear, and travels freely. I continue to pray daily for the prison chaplains and the work of the institutional committees. As a family, we are very grateful for this wonderful demonstration of God’s dear love.
