Anybody realize how crazy this world we live in is? While I was still in India/Dubai (promise I’ll finish blogging about the trip soon), I read about a shooting at LAX. I was talking to my sis and parents about it and just thought how ridiculous that was. I returned to NY on a Wednesday and never thought I would experience something similar on a Saturday night, tonight.

Tonight I realized how much I take my life for granted. It really is a gift!

What a precious gift. I’m more thankful for his grace and mercy towards us. I’m sharing this story just to show how amazing God is. A group of us went out to celebrate our friends’ 24th and 25th birthdays. We were a pretty big group.

Most of the group went skating while a few of us decided not to skate and chill in the warmth at a coffee shop in the park (Bryant Park), including me. I was on the edge about skating. I reallyy wanted to, but I sprained my ankle about a month ago and thought it wasn’t the best idea for my first real physical activity (besides walking) since injury to be ice skating. Really though, this was nothing but God that kept me off the ice tonight.

After about an hour ish of being at the park, we heard three loud noises. These didn’t really sound like gun shots, but we realized they were after seeing people running and hearing screams. We all got up and ran. The six of us that were sitting, chillin got to a safe place and tried to get in touch with our friends on the ice. Worried about them, we couldn’t do anything but pray. Finally, we got in touch and heard that all of them were safe, no harm, no injuries. Praise and thanks to the most high only!

Several of my friends were just feet away from one of the young men that was shot on the ice. Nothing but God’s grace that saved them. Just as we started our night with praise, our night ended in praise. Thank you Father for life.

Besides reflecting on God’s grace and protection, this experience made me question how I’m living. If this night were my last, would God be pleased with me? Would I hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant,” at the gates of Heaven? Would you?

Living life to the fullest isn’t YOLO as the world says it, but YOLO for eternity. You only have one shot at eternity and that’s while you’re here on earth living.

With love,

Rinny