Although Xi’en is only 10 years old, he has already believed in God for 7 years. His mother and grandmother often told him that he should pray to God no matter what he encounters and must call upon God truly when especially in danger, then God will care for and protect him. At that time, Xi’en did not quite understand what they were saying, but after he had experienced several dangerous situations, he truly felt that God is by his side protecting him at every moment. Today, Xi’en is going to share his journal with us. So, let’s see what’s in it!

November 27, 2016 Sunday

In the past, my mother and grandmother had always told me that God watches over and protects us, but I never once understood what they said. Until today, I experienced a seemingly unlucky thing, but it made me see God’s protection.

In the afternoon, my mother and I went to help a sister to install an app on her phone. Because my mother still had something on later, to save time, she rode the motorcycle at a very high speed. When we were overtaking, an SUV suddenly knocked into our motorcycle. My foot was hit by the tire and I was very shocked. My mother quickly came down from the motorcycle, squatted down to check on my foot nervously. When she saw the tire tracks on my shoe and sock, she was frightened and she couldn’t help crying, and kept asking me whether it hurt or not. She also said worriedly, “I thought the loud noise was from the vehicles, how come the SUV hit your foot? It must have hurt your bone!” I was scared and did not know how to answer her. When my mother took out my socks to check, I felt a slight pain because my ankle was skinned. She asked me to try to move my foot to see if it hurt, I said that I was not feeling pain. Then she said, “Thank God, you did not hurt your bone.”

After returning home, my mother was still worried, so she asked again, “Are you sure your bone doesn’t hurt?” I replied, “Yes, I’m very sure.” I even jumped a few times to prove it. My mother said, “All thanks to God’s protection. We were at such a high speed and that car is so big as well. If not for God’s protection, we would have been knocked over by the car and the consequences would be disastrous!” After hearing what she had said, I was very touched and realized that God is indeed always by my side watching over and protecting me.

December 2, 2016 Friday

I’m so happy it’s Friday again because I can have a meeting with brothers and sisters of my age. Today, a sister asked us to share how we had prayed to and relied on God and experienced His care and protection. After listening to their sharing, I also shared what I experienced a few days ago. Through fellowshiping, we felt that God’s love is so real.

After the meeting, my mother read to me two verses in the Bible, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, said the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall you call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you” (Jeremiah 29:11-12). Then my mother told me, “God is always by our side. We just have to pray to God truly, then God will listen, especially when we are in danger. As human beings, we are very weak and vulnerable, but we will be strictly under God’s care if we truly believe in Him.” After listening to her fellowship, I knew God is always by my side and He is my reliance, and that God will listen once I pray to Him truly.

December 12, 2017 Tuesday

Today, after school, because everyone was rushing to go home, I was being accidentally pushed by a classmate from the stairs. I fell hard on the ground, and my teeth knocked on the anti-slip metal sheet. At that time, I was in pain and also very afraid, so I burst into tears. My classmates screamed when they saw my mouth was filled with blood. A teacher came and hurried me to the school’s health center. The nurse used ice trying to stop the bleeding and asked me to rinse my mouth with ice water, but it was to no avail. There was blood all over the scarf on my neck as well. When my mother came to fetch me, my bloody mouth scared the wits out of her. The nurse said to her, “We failed to stop the bleeding. We are not sure if there are any broken teeth or if she hurt her gums, so bring her to the dentist for a checkup.”

When we were walking along the corridor, I really wanted to look at myself in the mirror. My mother whispered to me, “Don’t be afraid. Let’s pray to God, call upon God, asking Him to lead us.” That’s when I remembered I have to pray to God. So, I prayed in my heart, “O God, my mouth is bleeding nonstop. I’m so scared it will never stop. Now, my mother is bringing me to the dentist. God, please be with me.” After praying, I felt that I was not that afraid anymore and my mouth was not so painful either.

Afterward, my mouth stopped bleeding on our way to the dentist. At the dentist’s office, while we were waiting for my turn, my mother kept on praying, and I also prayed in my heart and called upon God. I was very scared of the dentist, because it was very painful every time when I had my decayed teeth removed. The dentist quickly checked my teeth and said there was no problem with my teeth and gums. Then the dentist also asked to use this opportunity to fill my decayed teeth and I agreed. In the past, I was very scared of filling teeth, and I could never sit still on the dental chair and always wanted to escape. This time I prayed to God and opened my mouth obediently for treatment. It was done after a short while. Furthermore, it did not hurt at all. I was very happy. Through this experience, I saw the power of praying. When I was in danger and afraid, I will see God’s guidance if I pray to and call upon God.

December 24, 2017 Sunday

Today afternoon, my mother brought me to the supermarket to buy groceries. Along the way, I looked at the scenery and all kinds of cars. I was very happy as I could buy a lot of snacks. Suddenly, I heard a sharp noise from the sudden braking of the motorcycle and my mother’s shriek. After I regained my composure, I saw that a huge car was speeding toward us from the side and the motorcycle couldn’t stop because of inertia. The head of the motorcycle started wriggling and shook violently. I held onto my mother tightly and called upon God in my heart, “O God! Please be with us!” Amazingly, after I prayed, the motorcycle stopped, and the SUV also managed to stop beside us. The SUV’s front bumper hit my trouser but not my leg and bone, it only dirtied my trouser. Thank God for protecting me and keeping me unharmed.

Later on, my mother carefully checked my leg to ensure that I was fine. Keeping on thanking God, she said, “My heart almost stopped beating just now. Because the car was speeding toward us from the side, if it hit us, we would fly out of the motorcycle. Even if we did not fly out, the motorcycle would slide forward because of inertia, then the car will not hit me but you. In that case, the consequences are unimaginable. Thank God! You are safe and sound because of God’s care and protection. I cannot protect you even though I’m by your side, because I cannot even protect myself. Only God is our reliance.” I was glad and told my mother, “This time I did pray to God and call upon God, so I was not afraid at all. I remember that you told me before, when we are in danger, the first thing we should do is call upon God. In the past, I encountered two dangers and because of God’s protection, I’m safe. I know God is with me, so I was not that afraid.” My mother smiled pleasingly after hearing what I said.

As recorded in the Bible, “Because you have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psalms 91:9-11). That’s right! God is truly by my side protecting me. God never leaves me at any moment. When I was in danger, none of my parents could protect me, but only God is my reliance. I will never leave God. From now on, I must pray to God often, read God’s words and understand more truth.