A Near Miss

Lovely Monday to you all!
Things appear much better these days after the protective shield of prayer my church family and friends placed about me. However, the enemy of our souls is not willing to give up so easily. Unfortunately, I believe he is much more diligent than most believers, yet, our Heavenly Father, Loving Savior, and Gracious Comforter never sleep and are many steps ahead of him.
These truths were evidenced specifically today at work. One of the last dreams I had was plotted with a colleague and myself plunging to a seemingly violent death. Midway, the elevator jerked to a halting stop in which my colleague, with my promptings was able to escape. The doors closed behind her and the plummet accelorated again. It stopped one more time after prayer, just a floor before eternity. I was able to escape though everyone thought I was in the final crash.
Today after my last class, I entered one of our elevators with a student needing assistance. We began our ascent when the elevator stopped abruptly. Initially, I thought we were about to board other passengers when, without the doors opening, it took off again. Boom! It stopped again. This time it refused to move or respond to any button commands. My student was quite calm and silent. Hauntingly, the scenes from the dream flooded my wakefulness.
Panic dug its icy nails in my heart. I was in my dream. Then a still small voice in my heart calmed me.
"Call for assistance"
Instinctively I rang the alarm. Realizing anyone who heard it could do little to help us short of calling for assistance I ceased that action. Speaking mostly to myself under the guise of talking to my student, I surmized,
"I know there is some sort of a phone in here."
Ah, one of my wonderous gifts....stating the obvious!
Finding a little door I rang for help.....no response....panic was coming back along with helplessness....I rang again, this time a connection to the outside world was made and assistance sent.
Much more followed, however, what I want to focus on is fear. Helplessness weakens my faith and I generally run from it. However, I realize I need to embrace it as it is. I am helpless. If anything, real danger lurks in the self deluding myth that I am in control.
I also learned that no matter how sound a situation looks or evidences a warning, My God is bound by nothing and controls all, especially my fate.
"Dearest Beloved,
I pray for all who read this blog who are burdened by stress, fear, or self assurance in themselve. I pray you blow the dark mists away so they can see You, even in a defective elevator...
Ever Loving You...
Your Beth"