A little too close to tragedy

Last night, after my company’s Annual Meeting, we had an event hosted on Park Street. From there, it continued to be a space to get to know my coworkers and led to some deeper conversations and friendships. I spent hours talking to one particular coworker, discussing faith, struggles, and matters very important in our life. We sat on a pool table at Brothers, not drinking but opening up to each other and shedding a few tears. Eventually, we were the only ones left, so around 1:30am we walked to the hotel a block away – the Hampton on High. We then continued to unpack heavy things on the sidewalk for about a half hour. At 2:15am, we hugged and told each other we loved each other, then walked inside the hotel and went to our rooms.

At approximately 2:30am, shots were fired a block from where we had just been standing. Bullets shattered windows of three of the rooms of our teammates. A slew of officers took over the street.

This morning, my coworker and I both recall hearing the sirens when we got up to our respective rooms but had no idea how close they were. We had no idea how close we were to still being on that street corner in the midst of that scenario. We didn’t know what unfolded until this morning.

I know our safety, and the safety of everyone at my company, was God’s protection. My coworker and I had just spent hours talking about our faith: how we came back to God, our struggles, and the ultimate surrender we each had to go though. We talked about how our faith was the most important thing in our lives, and the heaviness and burdens we were both carrying and trying to put in His hands. But the thing is, our conversation wasn’t over. It wasn’t at a good stopping point, but it was late and I was shivering cold, and we decided in the middle of a story that we were going to pick it up another time and get some sleep. Minutes later, shots were fired.

I thank Jesus for his protection. For St Joseph, the protector, who hurried us inside. Who got me up to my room and didn’t let me know about it until morning so I could sleep. For protecting our three coworkers who had bullets land in their rooms and even hitting one’s headboard, leaving them unharmed. Unfortunately, there were fatalities last night. There was trauma for many who were in the area. There was chaos and pain. Thank you, God, for shielding me from that. Thank you, guardian angel, for moving me inside. Thank you, Jesus and Mary, for sparing me that hardship. I owe you my life and my safety.

It makes me wonder how close I have been to other tragedies in life. How many times He’s guided me out of the way of harm. How many times a legion of angels has surround me until I’m safe. How many times He’s saved me, redirected my step, blessed me with unknowingness.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you.

Terror of Demons – Pray for us.