He Tried It

It had been over 10 years since I ventured out towards Columbia Mall. On Saturday, January 25th about 10:50 a.m. I was making my way there. I figured it would take me about 40 minutes to get there and still give me enough time in case I got lost. Again, it had been over 10 years. Well, traffic was light and I may have had a heavy foot (smile) so I got in the area in record time. I’m thinking cool. I’ll drop in the mall to pick up the two things I needed and head over to my meeting. That was until my GPS failed me. I ended up close but not in the exact area I needed to be. Being the timely person I am, I get flustered. I’m annoyed at my GPS and cursing its very existence as I drive in circles. Finally I arrive and it’s now too late to make my pit stop in the mall. Now I’ll have to go after my meeting and could possibly get caught out in the snow that was predicted to come our way. Oh the drama of my life right?? Not even!

As I’m approaching, a woman tells me to head back to my car because there’s a shooter loose in the mall. Excuse me?!! I’m not even supposed to be in this area. I never come out here and the one time I do, this pops off! And then it hits me. What the enemy meant for evil, God made other arrangements. But why did He allow me to get that close?? I heard people say that they had planned to go that same morning but “something” told them not to. Why not me? Then it hit me. God needed to show me just how in control He really is. I’m a control freak and I can admit that. I like to know what’s going on at all times and be prepared for the inevitable. Having this happen minutes before my meeting definitely threw me off my game… or so I thought.

We relocated our meeting to a restaurant about 10 mins away from the scene and boy were we both in complete shock. I apologized in advance if at any point I wasn’t making sense during our talk… my head was literally spinning! In spite of being flustered and filling ill-prepared, the meeting was a success. We collaborated on ideas and made plans to work together to see both of our visions come to fruition. There were confirmations that took place that probably wouldn’t have ever been addressed if we hadn’t experienced what we did earlier. God had to show both of us how much He really is in control and how merciful He truly is.

I took the long route with this post just to show you that when you are operating in your purpose and making strides in that area the enemy will design ways to throw you off  your game. He’ll distract you, intimidate you, and literally try to kill you. But God… who knows all things will protect you even when you have no idea you need protection. It was 11am in the morning and I’m headed to the mall and a business meeting in the suburbs. Not in a million years would I have thought that I would be walking into harms way. God delayed me, redirected my path, and showed out as a result!… for that alone, I’m grateful.

This Tuesday my prayers are with the families of the victims and all those who suffered as a result of such seneseless violence.

Love, Bianca

The Latest Story Update: http://globalgrind.com/2014/01/27/columbia-maryland-mall-shooting-shooter-darion-aguilar-diary-found-details/