It’s funny how some of life’s most major events slip from your memory whilst other, seemingly less memorable, events stay at the forefront of your mind.
For no apparent reason, I started thinking on Friday night about the day I almost got abducted – something that I had almost completely forgotten about and haven’t thought about in well over a decade.
I don’t remember how old I was, I guess I was around 12, when one day I took the bus into town alone to go and buy a new tennis racket.
Taking the bus into town on my own was not unusual for me, but this day would turn out to be like no other.
The specifics are very vague in my memory but I clearly remember that I was looking at the racks of sports equipment and clothing in Debenhams department store when a lady started taking an unusual interest in me.
You have to remember that I was in England at the time, where people very much keep themselves to themselves so, when this woman tried to start up a conversation with me across a rack of clothes, it was very odd indeed.
I moved on quickly but she followed me to the next rack, and the next, trying to get me talking, trying to get a little closer.
In the end I think she offered to help pay for my new tennis racket, which was when I fled the store and ran for my life.
At first she followed me out into the street but I had the advantage of being young, fit and terrified and I don’t know whether she decided not to continue following me or whether I just out ran her. Whichever it was, I ran the half mile across the town center to my father’s office without stopping once.
As I ran, I checked back over my shoulder regularly and was relieved to see she wasn’t following me but the fear of what she might have been trying to do kept my legs moving and my heart racing.
I can’t be certain but I think, as I entered the lobby of my dad’s office block, I pressed the button for the elevator, but even though I was pretty sure I had lost my pursuer I got scared of waiting in one place and ran up the stairs instead.
I vaguely remember running straight past dad’s secretary and bursting straight into his office where he was in the middle of a meeting. Those details may be a little cloudy in my mind but this one certainly is not: My day took one look at my face, saw the fear and the tears and dropped everything to give his little boy the time and love I needed.
Dad left work early and we walked back to the store together. He asked me to keep an eye out for the mystery woman who had scared his son so much but I couldn’t spot her.
I have no idea whether or not I got my new racket that day but I do know this: I’m forever grateful that my Dad was prepared to drop everything for me when I needed him the most. He put me first and I’m so very thankful that he did.
As I thought about that on Friday night, I was reminded of how great it is to have a Heavenly Father who loves us and cares for us and is never too busy to take the time to talk with us.
It just blows me away that God loves us so much and gives us all individual attention – God truly is a great dad!
As it happened, Friday night was also the night of my four year old son’s first sleepover at a friends house. Given that it was his first night away from family, I wasn’t at all surprised when, at around midnight, I got a call from a tearful little boy saying, “Dad, I want to come home”.
“OK son,” I answered, “I’m on my way.”
As we were driving home a little while later, a sleepy voice said to me from the back seat of the car, “Thanks for coming to get me, dad. I just needed to be at home”
“That’s OK son,” I answered, “you can call me any time you need.”
Wow, that would be freaky having some adult follow you around as a kid…
Great post Peter.
I have no idea what her intentions were, but there was no way I was hanging around to find out!
We just can't forget where to run when we're afraid, no matter what age we are. Father's arms, Father's arms…even as adults.
True. It is awesome that God gives each of us his individual attention.
I am glad that your dad comforted you.
I got the chills reading this, Peter. What a wonderful father to see how much you needed him and to drop it all for his son!
We've had plenty of calls to come get our frightened children over the years, it makes me happy that 'home' is where they want to be and where they feel safest!
Amen to THAT!
It's so sad that many children Don't feel safe at home!
So true, Peter! Even now that I'm all grown up, if I'm having a very bad day, just hearing my Dad's voice has a comforting effect on me. So much more comforting are the voice and the arms of my Heavenly Father.
Scary memory, but what a sweet story! You and your son both have a lot to be thankful for.
Reminds me of the scene in It's a Wonderful Life when young George needs Dad's advice and bursts in. I'm glad to hear that your father was willing to drop everything for you…we all need that reassurance, from both earthly fathers and the Father of all.
I've never seen It's a Wonderful Life (is it a crime to admit that?)
Now I wish I'd seen it so I could have referenced it in my post!
Thanks for sharing and I am so thankful that I have a great, loving father!
Wow, I hope my children know to run for their lives if ever faced with that situation. You think they do, but you never quite know. Thanks for sharing.
I wondered as I was writing this post what my children would do.
We've taught them to find a policeman or, if they're in a store, someone with a name-tag.
Maybe I should have done just that instead of running away from the relative safety of security cameras and store employees!
Running worked though!
That is a powerful illustration of God's love and also and inspiration on how we should respond to our own children. I hope nothing so frightening ever happens to my kids, but I also hope that if they ever feel out of control fear I'll be there for them.
Thanks Nick.
I hope my kids feel the same way. (that I'll be there for them, not necessarily that YOU'D be there for them 🙂 )
What a frightening and powerful post, Peter. If kids ever needed a strong father figure in their lives, it's now.
Thanks, Billy.
You're right. The world is a much more dangerous place even than when I was a kid. I used to take the train alone to London when I was barely in double-digits. There's NO WAY my kids will be doing that kind of stuff at that age!
I loved what your son said to you from the backseat. Isn't it wonderful to be needed?
Peter, I suppose I might be seen as coddling my own five, but when they were small they had access to mom or dad 24/7. Inconvenient at times, but it was important to me that I establish that they were never without the ability to call when they needed it, so they'd one day understand this of God. I'm so proud to know you, for understanding and showing this to your son.
I'm a stay-at-home dad for precisely that reason. We don't want anyone else raising our children and we want our children to know that we are always there for them!
It can be very difficult at times but I truly hope and believe it will be worth it eventually!
Well that would be weird. 'Stranger danger!' was the phrase we were taught by the TV to shout, which seemed a bit of overkill.
Still, I'm relieved you were only nearly abducted by a human, and not an alien, which was my first thought.
I was watching Stargate SG-1 while I wrote that, so it almost became an alien-abduction story!
Hey, great new look here! (I know that's off topic. I can be that way. 🙂
Thanks, L.L.
I figure I can't always write good content, but I CAN always have a good design! 🙂
What a precious post! Thank you for sharing. I wish I could look at God more like a Dad as you do. I'm working on it! 🙂
~Brenda
It is hard, especially in this day and age where we find it hard to link strength and authority with kindness and affection.
I hope and pray that you can get to know God as Abba!
this is a very open and touching post. thanks for sharing it.