Does the little girl in the picture look familiar? If you said it was me, you would be correct. Even though I was smiling, I was very frightened.
My parents and I were at an antique car show in Gatlinburg. If I remember correctly, it was held in an open field on Airport Road. Since this happened in 1971, I doubt very seriously if it’s still an empty field nowadays. We were there because both of my parents loved old cars and they were so excited to see all of them. As for me, I was waiting to visit the candy store before we went back home. So, while we were walking around, my dad saw a car he really liked and wanted to take a picture of it. Then my mom had a wonderful idea of me standing in front of it. Most kids would have jumped next of the car and posed. Not me. I whined about it, but they insisted. Wanting to please my parents, I posed and smiled for the picture.
So, what was my problem? There were so many strangers all around us. Actually, it was a combination of my fear of strangers and my overactive imagination. As for my fear, it started with my parents. Like most households of our time, we only had one TV. In the evenings, Daddy would sit in his chair and watch police shows such as: “Hawaii Five-0, Dragnet, and Adam 12.” On these shows, the police or detectives were always after some bad guy. Some of them were strangers who tired to kidnap and/or hurt children. That was terrifying to me. I couldn’t understand why somebody would something like that. At the same time, my mom was constantly warning me about the dangers of strangers. In all fairness, while she was correct in that you don’t know who is really dangerous and who isn’t, she took it to a different level. Here’s a good example: I wasn’t allowed to eat any of my goodies from trick and treating until after we she thoroughly examined all of my candy. She looked for punctures where somebody may have injected something dangerous into the treats. Of course, I fussed about it. The only places we visited were homes of our family, neighbors, and church members. She would often respond that somebody could’ve done something to the candy while it was still at the store. In all fairness, she did have a point. There were some contaminated items sold to people in back in the early 80s.
As for my overactive imagination, it came into play when Daddy took the picture. The camera that my parents had was in the shape of a big box. It only had two options: flash and focus. That was it. It was nothing like the photography technology we have today. My parents had to back up a lot to take that picture. In my mind, I was now at risk to get kidnapped by a bad stranger. Seriously. While we were walking about the other cars, I was constantly holding on to one of my parent’s hand. So, even though there were strangers all around us, I felt safe. But to take the picture, I had to let go and stand by myself while my parents backed further away from me. In my mind, I envisioned somebody grabbing me up and running away with me. Or maybe they would drive by on a motorcycle or car and snatch me that way.
“But the LORD said unto Smauel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV)
I judged the people at the car show because I didn’t personally know them. Honestly, we probably do that more than we realize. Instead of judging, how about saying a quick prayer for them to the One that truly knows them. Like I’ve previously said, you don’t have to know somebody to pray for them.
“I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 (KJV)
I stayed close to my parents and felt safe because I knew they would protect me. But when they were stepping away to take the shot, I felt so defenseless and frightened. I think it is the same with us and the Lord. When we are close to Him, we feel His protection, but when we step away, we make ourselves vulnerable to the world. So, stay close to Him in all you do.
The second article picture is of Tim and me at an antique car show at Chilhowee Park. My dad also took this picture. I think it was 1988. That definitely explains my jeans. I remember having a lot of fun. My only concern that day was if there were going to be dip dogs and cotton candy sold somewhere at the car show.

Brooke Cox is an author, speaker, and storyteller. She was a 2016 Selah Awards Finalist for Debut Novel. Her children’s book: “Dinosaur Eggs,” is now available. It is based on Ephesians 6: The Armor of God. Her novel “Until the Moon Rises: A Conniving Cousin Mystery” is also available. Also, she has two books out in her storytelling series: “Saucy Southern Stories.” The Amazon links for her books may be found on her website: brookecoxstories.com. Please feel free to contact her. She would love to hear from you.