By Grace Van Note, a junior public relations major from Chicago
This week’s theme: Kept waiting by fear
In my religion, I grew up with the idea that G-d is a character to be loved and feared. He can make miracles, but He can also cause turmoil. The closest I have ever felt to G-d are in my moments of fear. When you are afraid you look for some form of comfort, someone to tell you to not be afraid. For me, this has always been my G-d.
I remember when I was eighteen, I got into an accident. It was my first term in college and the second week in October. I remember I was out riding my bike and I stopped to call my mother. After that phone call I went another two blocks and I began to cross at a cross walk. There was a car coming and when I realized it, it was too late. I was in the middle of the crosswalk with nowhere to go and this car kept coming and coming showing no signs of stopping.
I was able to unfreeze enough to throw myself out of the way, I was fine, but my bike; not so much. I saw G-d that day, He was with me pushing me away from that car just as He has been with me whenever I need Him most. G-d was in the eyes of my dog right after he got hit by a car, G-d was in my grandmother when she was in hospice, and G-d was in those headlights when I was eighteen. Every missed opportunity due to fear is a missed opportunity to connect with G-d. Be it a relationship, a job interview, a vacation, a move. To be kept waiting by fear is to wait for G-d when you need to meet Him halfway.