DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

I’ve never been one to ask for signs or fleece as some may call it. Gideon (Gideon 6:33-40) showed us how patient God can get with us when we are in doubt. While it is permissible, I am always of the belief that obedience and dependence ; through the posture of waiting and listening , should dictate our lives. We should lead with that. As for the specific convictions that may arise that necessitate asking for a sign, I will be mum about it . Why? I am not obliged to legislate upon the dealings of man with God. 

One night out of desperation and need for affirmation, I asked God for a sign to show me something I already knew to be true but just like we go to our parents for repeated affirmations, I  did the same with God. I asked Him to show me whether there was a possibility , even the slightest chance that I could be a viable candidate for companionship. *sigh* I know. I know. You are probably wondering how forlorn I must’ve been? What kind of prayer is that you wonder. Well, I have no restrictions with my father and even the lamest and insane things are laid on the table. 

Before I expose myself entirely, allow me to ask : Do you believe in the ideology of a damsel in distress saved by a knight or do you leave that to Disney World fellas to keep crafting it for us to experience on-screen only? 

The next day, Monday morning, I was headed to work which wasn’t something out of the ordinary but I ended up boarding a bus I had never boarded, which truthfully, started all the drama I was to encounter. For starters as I got in trying to find my way to my seat, my luggage carrier got cut and all the journal deliveries I was taking to my colleagues fell out. In addition, my sitting space was super squeezed but who was I to raise any complaints;  my 50 shilling fare didn’t come with the promise of luxury and comfort and I couldn’t blame my neighbors for their physique .Within no time, we were approaching my destination, or so I thought.  It was not until the bus tout begun shouting “Mwisho”  translated “Final destination”  that I knew my morning was about to get dramatic and out of hand. 

Panic.

Worry.

Confusion.

Uncertainty ;

……..and more, were all the feelings I begun experiencing in that moment. 

I have lived in Nairobi for over 10 years now and yet I am not ashamed to say that there are some places foreign to me. Within town, the CBD, I can maneuver. I most certainly cannot get lost in the town center but for the outskirts, even a compass cannot save me. To date, I still can’t give a specific description ; all I know is I was in the middle of what looked like a market that wasn’t one. There I was, dressed in a mini white dress and red trench coat; sticking out like a sore thumb while around me were people casually dressed, lifting luggage, trading and conversing ; they were at home while I wasn’t. 

Being the Christian that I am, I begun praying, seriously praying. I wasn’t verbalizing my prayers but the internal altar of my heart was on fire. I was calling all the angels and beckoning them. God did promise that He would send angels before me to lead me (Exodus 23:20) same as is in (Psalm 91:11.) I could list all the scriptures I begun declaring but you get the point.

Not knowing whether I was making a wise choice, I decided to move with the masses. After all, what option did I have? I contemplated going back to the highway ,to the nearest bus stop but no motorcycles were available . Two steps , then another, I kept going and I felt somewhat calmer until the route wasn’t just leading to one direction anymore; diversions. People begun branching off and still in prayer, God  (Yes I know it was God ) nudged me to a man, who I had seen in the bus . I had been looking at him ever since I realized I was in a “jungle.” and I felt drawn to him. Unlike me, he was composed and even though he didn’t look like he was ‘at home’, the surrounding didn’t make him beckon all the heavenly angels.

I motioned him.

Me: Does this road lead to town?

Mark (let’s call him Mark) : Yes. Exit is at Muthurwa and you can begin making your way to the town center.

“Finally some place I know”  I thought.

I went on to tell him how I had never been through this route and expressed my annoyance at the bus for opting out of the usual Jogoo Road route. Not needing to be told that I needed help finding my way, he motioned me and we kept walking. You’re probably wondering how I allowed myself to be led by a stranger. I wasn’t entirely confident but what option did I have? I was at ease and at peace because I trusted that the God I serve cannot end my story like that, no way! 

We had a normal conversation, one would think we even knew each other . He carried all the journals I was taking to my colleagues at the office. I talked about Kericho. He spoke about his hometown. He asked if I model (no surprise here, it comes with being 5’10). Having gone on and on about my appreciation regarding his kindness and how I had prayed for a guardian angel, he asked if I was a believer and we talked about our local church. We talked about fellowship and as you’d expect I talked about CMA, after all he was holding a tangible evidence of the ministry. As we kept talking, time just seemed to fly. I felt calmer and at ease  save for the stares I kept receiving which reminded me I was out of place. Within 10 minutes, I saw the familiar market of Muthurwa from the back and if I had any doubts about Mark, they had cleared up because I could find my way. 

At this point, if he was keeping count of the times I had said thank you, he would need help because it had exceeded the sum of his fingers and toes. I couldn’t stop. I had moved from tense to overly excited and I wanted him to feel and know just how grateful I was. He must’ve been worried for me since he made sure I got to my next stage (such a gentlemanly thing to do) even though I told him I was alright. 

While the moral of this story (if any) can be varying , I do know that I witnessed God’s leading, His love and His care. The world will live in isn’t entirely coated in kindness, honesty and concern. I have watched news headlines of abduction, killings, rape and even worse, death; often in well known places with witnesses who reported nothing suspicious . For me, Mark is a representation of divine placement. He was positioned there for my sake; in that specific time and in that place. While that may not be the sign  I was anticipating following my previous emotional outburst, it was something to appreciate and who knows, perhaps it was. 

This may not be the best depiction of a damsel in distress saved by a knight but that’s how I felt. Lost and found; rescued and safe is all I needed to experience to believe this theory; which to me isn’t a theory anymore.

Knights don’t have to come saddled on a horse. Knights don’t have to rescue you from bandits or bears. Knights are those who express kindness and lead with love; whether they know you or not. 

God is active in all your affairs, you only need to stay conscious and see it. Fellowship doesn’t end when you step out of your house altar; you carry His presence everywhere and you can converse and involve Him as you lean in for prompts which can seem ridiculous sometimes. 

It’s been two and a half weeks since my scary and unplanned adventure happened so it’s safe to say  we can all laugh about it now. You have my permission to crack jokes.

I hope this brightens your day and may there be a ‘Mark’ divinely positioned for you 😉

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.