[ Miracles ]

Driven to Distraction--Thankfully

Many years ago when my three children were preschoolers, we were on our way to western Oklahoma to visit their great-grandparents. Having just purchased a new car, I certainly didn't imagine having any car trouble on the three-hour drive.

With less than an hour left before arriving at our destination, we had a long empty stretch of road to cover. At one point, we had to drive across a bridge that went over railroad tracks. The bridge was high enough in the center that from the base of it, you could not see the road on the other side.

Just as I was driving onto the bridge, my car suddenly died. My initial reaction was aggravation that a brand new car would break down and here I was between towns, alone with three young children.

I instinctively coasted to the shoulder of the road and asked God to help me with the situation. Several times I tried to start the car with no luck. The motor wouldn't even turn over, much less start.

I paused and looked up at the bridge. Cresting over the top of the bridge was a semi-truck that was passing another vehicle -- in our lane. If God's angels had not put me on the side of the road at that moment, we would have met the truck head-on at the top of the hill!

Needless to say, I was very thankful to God for saving us. I knew God must have some kind of plan for me or one of my children at some point in our lives.

Strangely enough, I recently had my three preschool grandchildren in the car with me and had pulled up at a traffic light in the left-turn lane. To the left, the road rises quickly over a hill and one cannot see traffic coming until they are almost at the intersection.

My turn signal turned green but, for some reason, I felt I shouldn't go right away. I don't know why I just sat there, but I did. As I looked to the left, coming over the hill was a semi-truck going so fast he could not stop for his red light.

As he sped through the intersection in front of us, I looked at my six-year-old granddaughter and said, "Well, God and His angels saved us again!"

I don't know what God has in store for the future. Maybe my purpose in life is just to watch out for my family for Him. I am certainly glad to be here and doing just that.

Tammie R.

Lone Grove, OK