Pages From Life

[T L Cole]

Zagreb, Croatia 1990

It had been a long week in Zagreb. The future was uncertain since the country was into the civil war for just a few months. So when a pastor friend asked if I would come out and house sit while he and the family where out of town I was happy to oblige. It would give a much needed break from the tight confines and constant noise of the city.


Sunday morning I decided to sleep in, that is until 8:10 when I was awoken from my slumber to a very loud explosion. Jumping from the bed I opened the French doors of the 2nd floor bedroom and stepped out onto the balcony in my boxers and tee shirt. Looking around I see many others walking outside with the same look of bewilderment. We look at each other as to say “What was that?”


I am up now, might as well go ahead and make breakfast and get ready to head into town for church. Two hours later I enter the small church sanctuary; really nothing more then a house that has been the local church for many years. Again this Sunday it is standing room only. All the chairs taken so the men are leaning against the walls, older women dressed in black and kids on there laps singing the morning worship songs.


Following the service I inquire as to the loud noise that startled me. “Well, the Serbians launched a Russian missile from 170 kilometers away. You know they are not very accurate, they say they will land within 3 kilometers of the intended target.” And I learn the explosion was just 1.5 kilometers from the quiet house I was enjoying.

Then it hits home, “I was within the margin of error.” That missile could have come much closer then it did.

Now, many years later I think how this happens to us on a daily bases even in our comfortable safe lives without being in a war zone. How many times a day are we “within the margin of error?” Then once again I remember that with God there is no margin of error. He has our days planned out and best of all, He holds us in the palm of His mighty Hand!