God's "Uncomfortable" Grace
I sat in the conference room that evening with other church leaders in Turkey. I told myself again not to worry about 3-year-old James and 1-year-old Yohan, who were with the childcare team. However, I continued to feel unsettled, like a tight fist of worry was gripping me. I finally gave up fighting the feeling and told my husband Jonathan I needed to check on the boys.
I went to the courtyard and saw that the childcare team had taken the kids to the hotel’s beach across the street. I scoured the group for my boys and spotted Yohan happily playing with sand and being supervised by a teen. But I did not see James.
I jogged across the street and asked the caregivers where James was. Looks of surprise crossed their faces as they realized their quiet little charge was gone. I ran back to the hotel and headed for our room, assuming that’s where he would go. I passed through the dark pool area where no one was in sight. But then I noticed a small and precious form at the far end, happily walking around the edge of the pool. I do not know how long he had been alone, but he had crossed a dark street and played around a pool with no adult in sight.
I’m always grateful for God’s mercy in keeping him safe. I’m thankful He made me so uncomfortable that I had to check on my sons.
They also assigned more people to childcare after that scare!
– Ruth Sonoda
