At 6 PM, Saturday night, a middle-aged man with shoulder-length shaggy hair approached Nick with a question. “How many angel fish can I have in my 60-gallon tank?” Nick gave him the answer he learned from his PetSmart training staff.
“For a 60-gallon tank, we recommend no more than 4 angelfish because they are territorial and can become aggressive.” Suddenly, out of nowhere, the man punched our 19-year-old son broadside in the face with such force that Nick stumbled backward and found himself with a painful cut on his inside cheek as well as a bloody nose.
Which is more aggressive? A crowded angelfish or a man who doesn’t like the answer to his question?
One of the PetSmart managers witnessed the assault and called other store personnel to come and settle the assailant and attend to Nick’s injuries. Within a few minutes, the police arrived, handcuffed the man, and escorted him to the squad car.
Nick called and told Todd and me what had happened just as we were sitting down to dinner with friends. I thanked God that Nick wasn’t hurt worse.
Last year, Nick was also hit broadside. That time wasn’t a fist; it was a fast-moving car he didn’t see coming. Nick’s car was totaled. But again, it could have been worse. The on-coming vehicle collided with Nick’s car just in front of the passenger side. Todd was the passenger. The airbags inflated and both were shaken up but, miraculously, none of the three in the two vehicles were injured. The crash could have ended tragically. Again, I thanked God.
How much doesn’t happen in our lives because of the hidden protections of God? When I pray for protection and bad things happen, do I realize that perhaps far worse things could have happened? Do I give thanks for God’s provision? Or do I just focus on the troubles of the moment?
Through all the trials and tribulations we’re promised in this sin-infected world, there’s always, always the greater promise of God’s grace not only to help us survive but to thrive, expanding his kingdom on Earth. And when we ache? When we’re cut clear through? When we bleed and cry out, “God, how long?” He is with us. He hears us. He feels our pain and pulls us up, wrapping us tenderly in his comforting arms.
Believe. Seek. Find.
On Monday morning, Nick filed a report at the police station as the officer attending to him requested. Nick also pointed out his assailant in a line-up. Then, the police officer took Nick into an interrogation room where the assailant sat handcuffed, his cuffs chained to the table.
The man looked Nick in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry for punching you.” Nick was sure the man was sincere. So he walked over and placed his hand on the man’s shoulder. “It’s ok. We all make mistakes.” And the man looked up from his chains and replied, “Thanks for your support. I really appreciate it.”
Who knows the heart of this man but God? Who knows the struggles he has endured—still endures—but God? All Nick knew was to offer this man the mercy and grace Nick has received from Jesus Christ. All Nick knew was to give his thanks to God by sharing that mercy and grace with his “enemy”, by seeing his “enemy” with the eyes of his Savior and offering that Way as a release from his chains.
We’re all still bound in some way or another, to some extent. Mercy and grace. Receive and give. I never want to forget my on-going need. There’s a never-ending supply coming straight from the heart of our God, no matter what we experience here in this life. And the mercy and grace we receive abundantly from God is ours to give abundantly to others.
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8