Several years ago, I took my students on a walking field trip with another teacher and her class. As I was leading the group down the stairs to a subway tunnel, I slipped on a pile of wet leaves near the bottom. When I felt myself falling backward, I immediately reached out in thought to God, and these words of St. Paul came to mind: “In him [God] we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). 

At that moment, which seemed to be happening in slow motion, I did indeed feel that I was entirely surrounded by God, and when I landed, it was as if a pillow were beneath me. Paul’s statement kept me calm as several students rushed to my side. They had seen me hit my head on the steps and were concerned about me, but I assured them I was fine. I got up and brushed myself off so we could continue on our way. I was grateful that the other teacher and the parents took over leading the group. 

However, as I continued walking, the fear expressed by others about the mishap began to creep into my thought—and along with it, pain. “What if I have a concussion?” I wondered.