See Faux Go

ALONE IN THE DARK

Teaching 6am seminary isn't as bad as I thought it would be---although the first morning that I drove into the parking lot, I was suddenly aware of how vulnerable I was. First of all, it was still dark...and it will get even darker as summer comes to an end. Secondly, I was all alone there. Today when I pulled in at 5:30am, there was a jeep parked behind where I usually park and I could see there was a shadow of a man on the driver's side. I didn't know what to do. Should I stay in my car until someone else arrives? Should I call someone? I knew I still had to set up and sharpen some red markers for my students and that imperative made me shrug my shoulders, open my car door, grab all my stuff and then confidently stride over to unlock the door. I did not walk fast nor hurry. I actually took my time, looking behind at the jeep with an annoyed look on my face. I knew the driver could see me because there was a lamp post by the doors. I just made sure he knew I was annoyed.

Luckily, my husband decided to follow me this morning to make sure I was safe and was a minute behind. As soon as I called him on my cell, he was literally driving into the parking lot. Turns out the man was a substitute for one of the teachers who decided to come early to prepare for his lesson. But it made me think that I really should carry a big gun to seminary. After all, my trigger finger is steady, my aim is astonishingly accurate and I wouldn't hesitate when threatened.

Nevetheless, the point is, should a lone woman really be alone in the dark at the church building?