As always, I was running late. The only difference this time was that I was actually running. I had woken up on time, but stayed in bed too long. I had my breakfast prepped, but spilled the milk. By the time I left for class, the fear had already set in; I was going to miss the bus. Even if there wasn't snow on the ground, I didn’t think I would be able to sprint my way to the bus stop in a timely manner. Just my luck - there was a blanket of fresh white powder that had fallen down the night before, and no other souls were yet awake to shovel it off the sidewalks. My options were to risk frantically slipping to potentially make it to the bus stop on time, or miss the bus entirely. I knew what I had to do.
I took one deep breath of the frigid air and began to move my feet faster than they ever had. “God,” I whispered as I ran, “I know you are very busy, but if you have the time to help me catch this bus I would really appreciate it. No pressure though.” At that moment, I saw the bus turn the corner. I was still over a block away, and I knew this settled my destiny as a failure. The bus was too far ahead of me.
Suddenly, for reasons I still cannot explain, the bus stopped. No one got on, no one got off, yet the bus was stalled at a green light. I must have looked like a calf taking its very first steps as I slid across the icy terrain to the frosted bus doors. I turned the corner just as the bus was starting to take off; luckily the driver had seen me barreling towards the massive vehicle. Just like that, I was on the bus.
Prayer is so often viewed solely as a ceremonial practice, to be done in circumstances of righteousness. It is not uncommon for people to pray only after their loved one has been hospitalized, or just before a job interview. While these milestones of significance are certainly aided by spirituality, I believe that everything else is as well. Can’t find your missing sock? Let God know. Hoping the strawberry ice cream isn’t sold out? Give God a holler. The sanctity of prayer shall not be forgotten, but an impromptu chat with God shall never be shamed. On that day, I let God know I needed a little help making it to the bus on time. And on that day, God provided. No matter how small of an ask it may be, and no matter how insignificant it may seem, God hears all prayers. He looks after each and every one of His beloved children, and He knows exactly what we all need; never be afraid to reach out and ask for help. While the bus seat next to me on that day may have been empty, I knew God was right by my side.
Katy Jurgella
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