Dear God

You are a way maker

When I think about the ways you've made out of no way for me I just think to myself, "no one can tell me God doesn't exist ". There have been so many times you've literally held my hand and directed me to safety. Thinking back to the time at 8 years old, when I was kidnapped in Haiti.

I was going to grocery shop for my mother, like I usually do when suddenly someone popped up with so many questions. She was like "hey I know you!" And I emphasized "no you do not". Staring back and fourth at each other in the middle of the market, I was so confused. Then she blurred out " I know your mom, I bet you don't know your moms name" not realizing that was a trick I replied, "of course I know my moms name, her name is Mafi (her nickname). And she proclaimed, " YES! That's her name, I know your dad too." And sadly I failed for the trick again!

At this point while standing in front of her with the grocery bags in my hands, I'm saying to myself, "where is this conversation taking us?" She then commented on my earrings , which was a gift from my grandma to all her granddaughters. She said "wow I love your earrings, are they real?" I responded "yes, they're real gold! She then started walking with me along the ally and kept my mind occupied and before I knew it I was in the middle of no where.
We stopped walking and stood behind a two story house which seemed to be vacant. She said "I really like your earrings , let me borrow it to go trace it so I can get the same one made." I don't think I responded, next thing I knew the earrings was off of my neck. She told me to wait. She went behind the building and never came back. I had no idea where I was but I was a smart kid and looked at the buildings along the way walking there.

She left me there, who knows what could have happened to me. With the bags in my hands I started walking back and thinking to myself "what just happened? My mother is going to kill me". I don't know how but I know it was you, Lord, who guided me safe and sound back to civilization where I could recognize my way back home. My family held me at a high standard, hence the reason why I do the grocery shopping because I was smart beyond my age and brought the best fruits.

My mother has each of her children handle one chore. I was in charge of grocery shopping, my brother was in charge of cleaning and my sister did the cooking and laundry. She made sure we weren't lazy! So as I was walking home I felt so ashamed that I let that happen to me, especially the necklace was a gift from my grandmother. I didn't realize I was robbed until after it happened. It was all so fast.

When I got home my mother asked what happened ? I couldn't believe it ! She noticed my bare ears, which hinted a bit of what happened to me. She didn't get mad like I expected, she just said "it's okay don't worry about it." For the first time I failed her in anything and so that was big to me. Before I knew it the whole family knew of what happened.

     I went through that phase in life and every single time I think about it, I thank you Lord because it could have been so much worst. A lot of people get snatched and don't come back. I was so young and so full of life and innocent and I didn't know people could be like that, at least not to me. I became so cautious after that. It took me a little while before my mother allowed me into the market again, but I overcame the fear of going out there all alone. I was never alone. You was always right beside me, if not you'd always be right. Behind me to protect me from the lions din. The enemy has been tying since the day I was born and you've chosen me so his attempts, were simply just attempts.
       You've paved a way for me out of no way. When I was in the lions din, didn't know if I should turn left or right, you lead me. You grabbed me by the hand and guided me to safety. Thank you my king. Kids go missing and never heard of again but you made sure I went back home without a hair missing on my skin. I am grateful for your love and grace. No one can tell me you don't exist because you've shown it to me over and over and over again. It is not by might, not by power but by your spirit God.

     You breathe life into me when I thought I'd be taking my last breathe. I had asthma, I'm not sure how but I no longer have it. I remember the last attack I had. I know what it felt like to beg for air and it was no where to be found.