God, my protector

This is an old testimony but one I remember to this day and continue to use to hold onto my faith that the Lord will look after me always.

I used to take my daughters and nieces to Brixton periodically to get their hair done. Often, the hair appointments would take a while so I would use the time to go and run other errands whilst I was in the area (most of the time, this would be doing a food shop or getting other supplies that I could get cheaply and easily in Brixton). It was my usual routine and had been an efficient way to use my time.

One Saturday, I dropped my daughters off to do their hair and shortly after, left the hairdresser's house to go and run my usual errands. This time, I went to Iceland (the grocery store) to go and pick up some ingredients for dinner. I was going about my shop when all of a sudden I heard a big blast. To be honest, I don't remember too much about what happened next but I do remember seeing the shop front shattered, smoke and lots of people around me on the ground screaming for help. A bomb had gone off. For those of you who might or might not remember, this was the bomb attack which happened in Brixton in 1999 and had been carried out specifically as a hate crime towards certain minority groups. Here are some articles describing what happened: https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1999/apr/18/markhonigsbaum.tonythompson; https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/brixton-nail-bomb-victims-remembered/.

I was scared and I was in shock and saddened by all of the destruction that I could see around me and couldn't move because I was overcome with emotion. It was only until a passer-by who had rushed to the scene to help came over to me to see if I was ok that we understood what had happened - people had fallen to the left and right, some with incredibly serious injuries (as the articles above testify to) but I didn't have one scratch!

"You've been saved by an angel," the passer-by said. "Go home and get some rest." She told me that ambulances were on the way to help people and that I should leave to make sure I wasn't further traumatised by what was happening.

I left shortly after and couldn't stop thinking about the miracle that had taken place: God had preserved my life. I went home and told my daughters and hairdresser who were in utter shock at what had happened. I don't think that any of us really understood how much of a miracle it was until we had seen the aftermath reported in the news and heard about the number of serious injuries and fatalities that ensued.

I know that God's hand is on my life and I have and continue to have purpose and so much to live for. I have been through trials but God has always allowed me to overcome (I'm now in my 60s!). The incident reminds me of Psalm 91, which I've copied out in part below:

4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

In these perilous times where destruction and hate occurs all around us, be encouraged that God protects His children. You have a purpose and a promise so be anxious for nothing.