Firstborn has never been a party-goer, but last night he and
a couple of his basketball teammates went to a party thrown by another teammate.
Firstborn and I prayed before he was picked up; we didn’t allow him to drive. I
also reminded him about his “no” to drugs and alcohol. He left, and I was at
peace. I was the designated after-party, pick up parent and was led to leave the
house an hour early. I found a great parking spot right on the corner in eye’s
view of the building. Not even two minutes later, I heard what I thought to be
gunshots and people were running away from the party and in the streets, but
shortly they began to return. Okay,
maybe those weren’t real gunshots. I then heard more gunshots – I know what I
heard.
Before I knew it, the entire block was covered with young people running
with fear on their faces, cars screeching off, cell phones lighting up, and soon
the police showed up with lights flashing. All I could think about was my child
and before I knew it, I yelled, “What the f…!” I looked around in disbelief
that I was in the middle of gunfire. I sat in my car paralyzed with confusion. Is this really happening? With my heart
beating fast, I selfishly prayed that my son and his teammates would find the
car in the midst of the confusion and uncontrolled crowd. It seemed like
forever, but the three of them were finally
walking towards the car – thank you, Jesus!
When they got in the car, I exhaled
with great relief, and got the heck out of the area. It was silent for a few
seconds and then we all began to talk. Never in my life have I experienced
anything like that. I asked if anyone prayed and one young man said he did.
Firstborn said, “All I could say was, oh my God.” Firstborn’s first response
was much better than mine!
Mothers, if you don’t already cover your children in
prayer, please start, and more importantly, teach them to cover themselves. We
don’t always know where they are or who they are surrounded by, but God’s merciful
hands of protection will always surround them – it’s their covering! Last
night, Firstborn met the Protector up close and personal; things could have
been a lot worse. Life lesson? Pray, mothers…pray.
