Divine Intervention

The dress code for nurses has changed over the years.

Formerly, a nurse’s cap was considered part of the uniform.

Once we nursing students successfully completed half the program, we became eligible for the capping ceremony. Along with my fellow students, I was ecstatic.

My mother and my sister were excited as well.

I would provide their transportation to the ceremony while my husband remained at home. Allowing enough time for the hour-long drive from Queens to Brooklyn (in New York City), I picked up my mother and sister around four thirty in the afternoon.

Then I drove us to the school for the ceremony.

After the memorable program, I drove them back home.

I did not arrive at my home until much later. I parked directly before the front door of our house. As I exited my vehicle in the dark, I was taken aback to hear what sounded like a stampede of horses coming in my direction. Quickly turning my head, my stomach tightened. No, not horses. Rather, I saw what appeared to be a gang of around five or six young teenage boys, and they were heading directly for me! Quickly surrounding me, they forced me into the back seat of my car. “Where are your keys?” a tall boy gruffly demanded, pointing a gun at my temple. Another had already wrenched my purse from my hands. “I’ll see if they’re in here,” he said breathlessly, rifling through its contents. Several others began interrogating me: “Is there anyone else in your house right now?” “How many are in there?” “Who are they?” In my state of panic and shock, I just rattled off names at random. All of a sudden, the front door swung open, and my husband’s form filled the frame. At this unexpected turn of events, the boys fled. My husband was simply looking out to see whether I was home so that our son, who was on the phone, could speak to me. Talk about divine intervention—and foiled nefarious plans! My purse was gone, along with my driver’s license and fifteen dollars in cash. But my keys were still in my fist, and I was alive! In fact, I am still a witness to the truth of this promise: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1, KJV). He never left nor forsook me!

Cora A. Walker (deceased)