Women of Blossom Valley

Leadership

We have an exceptional group of women who lead our ministry.

• : Ministry leader
• : Worship
• Darlene Spangler: Evangelism

Surrounded by Lions

by Julie Bowman

Apr 11, 2009

We were ten years old, and to celebrate Bev's birthday, several of us girls were invited to a slumber party. Lucky for us, Bev's parents went to bed early! So... as little mischievous minds go, and looking for fun, we grabbed some eggs from her mom's refrigerator and snuck out into the night.  Now, at the end of Johnson Avenue in Los Gatos, around the corner from Los Gatos High School, there is a trail that overlooks Main Street.

The Bible says that the devil prowls around like a hungry lion seeking to devour us. He waits for an opportunity to pounce, for us to go outside, beyond God's hedge of protection. Our little group left the safety of home that night, and the lion was just around the corner.

There we were, eggs in hand, high on a hill, hidden by bushes. Perfect. We launched a couple of eggs that landed inside the car and on the windshield of a beautiful old Mustang convertible! So proud of our abilities, laughing and carrying on, we did not notice that the car we hit was filled with boys who decided to come looking for us.

As ten year olds, how were we to know how ticked off guys can get when you hit their prized car with eggs? Suddenly, we found ourselves completely surrounded by these guys, high on a hill, hidden by bushes. Not so perfect anymore. We were skinny little fourth-graders. These were big guys! They taunted us, threatened us with their vulgar ideas. Well, scared to death, we knew what they meant, and we ran! In fact, we frantically ran in all directions. (I couldn't help but notice their egg-riddled car as I ran past. No wonder they were mad!) We ran like our life depended on it, and looking back, it might have.  They didn't waste any time getting into their car, headlights aimed towards us, so I dove into the yard of a very dark house and hid. I heard the car come to a screeching halt and the guys jump out yelling and swearing. Scared to death, I stayed put... didn't move a muscle. I don't think I breathed. However, in my mind I did pray for help and repented like crazy!

Bev and the others made it home and ran wildly into her parent's bedroom. "We were out throwing eggs! These guys came after us and Julie's still out there!"  "What, you girls did what? Where's Julie?" Pat jumped out of bed, grabbed Margo the dog, took off out the door and all at once, I heard a familiar voice! Thank you Lord! As I peered through the bushes, I saw Bev's mom, half marching, half running down the sidewalk as only Pat Cotton can do! Like a mother bear protecting her cubs, she let these boys know that they had better leave, NOW! At that moment, she was our shield and defender, calling off the lions, and they left.

I'll never forget that night... what can happen when you make wrong choices and get out from underneath God's umbrella of protection. There were consequences to follow, but I'll tell you one thing. I would rather be safe in the hands of a loving mother's protective discipline, than out on my own, surrounded by lions.