It sounded like they (gosh, who even were “they”??) were charging down the hallway right outside my door.
What was happening?!
Were we under attack??
Months ago my family and I traveled to Israel with religious leaders from my church. That night my heart began to pound in my ears and I held my breath as I slowly turned in the blackened room to see if the girls in the bed next to mine were awake with the fear I was experiencing.
I Felt Ok?
Mouths hanging slightly open and covers tucked up under their chins, my two daughters were sound asleep while our hotel in Israel was clearly under attack.
Or so it sounded.
Cade and I had to be separated each night for two weeks as we traveled around Jordan, Israel and the borders of neighboring countries.
No hotel had a room big enough for 5, so boys slept in one room and girls in the other.
I felt responsible.
Frozen.
Confused.
And ok?
I wouldn’t say I felt peace, but I did feel calm as the noise rose and fell for a few hours.
I didn’t dare step out of our room to peer down the hallways at Cade’s room. What if they were out there and three girls, alone but together would become an obvious target.
My texts wouldn’t go through to Cade and then a loud explosion ripped through the air and I glued my eyes to the ceiling while I silently prayed.
Standing Guard
The next morning our entire tour group began to share stories.
Unanswered phone calls to the front desk where workers had abandoned guests, all of whom were from another country and didn’t speak the language or know how to seek help.
Cade had a front row seat to all of it.
Slipping a camera carefully between the curtains to capture images and video here and there.
He waited up all night. Ready, listening, and standing guard at windows and hallways to watch over those, including his family who hid away in their rooms.
Little did I know, this was a fight on the road outside. A barricade and late night surprise attack that ended in an explosion, gun fight and armored vehicles.
One Fearful Night
I’ll never know if anyone was lost that night, but I hurt knowing that my one fearful night pales in comparison to what they are enduring now.
That night another man, a leader in our church also walked the halls, watched, prayed and stood ready to protect those in his care.
I do not understand the things happening in the world, but I understand this:
In the midst of danger there were men I could trust, listen to and who stood between me and them. Looking to truth, and those who lead with it may not have kept the danger from ever happening, but it does give you a source to look to for guidance, peace and yes, even protection.
Peacemakers Needed
Never in the history of the world have we needed those who are able to stand upon watchtowers and walk through abandoned halls more.
My heart has been absolutely destroyed to watch a place I just wandered, discovered, and loved be turned to war. It’s not right. It’s not fair, but it is not “them”, it is all of us. We need