Growing up, I lived near Atlanta, Georgia, and I will never forget one Sunday afternoon in the summer before I left for college.

I was headed home from my grandmother's and all of a sudden my car stalled.

While I was standing by the car on the side of the road, I noticed a car drive by slowly and then back up.

A thin, older man, probably in his 40's, got out of the car and asked if he could help me. I said, “Of course," since I didn't know what else to do.

He told me that the car was not operable and since he was on his way to work, he could drive me there to call for someone to pick me up.

It didn't occur to me not to trust this man, so I got in the car with him. When we got to where he worked, he went to the building to unlock the door and then came back and told me to go on in.

While I was walking into the office, he came up behind me and put a rag that smelled of chemicals over my mouth. I struggled with him so hard that I had carpet burns on my legs and broke all my fingernails to the quick.

At one point he had me pinned down on the floor and I was about to faint. I saw my life pass before me. When I saw my body lying in a ditch, I knew this man was going to kill me.

Then I heard a voice say to me, "Don't quit fighting. It’s not your time.”

After I heard that voice, a force went through me and I was able to push that man off of me. I ran across the office and grabbed a paperweight from a desk, determined to hit him.

All of a sudden, he looked at me – or perhaps just behind me – and went pale. He fell to his knees and begged God to forgive him for what he’d almost done to me.

I was in shock but I was no longer afraid. The man told me he would let me go, but not to tell anyone.

Quickly I got out of there and ran toward a gas station so I could use the payphone to call for help. The gas station was deserted.

While at the payphone, another "man" appeared out of nowhere. He was tall and beautiful and I believe my guardian angel. He stayed beside me until I got my grandmother on the phone.

My grandmother eventually found me and I thank God to this day for sparing my life and for showing me that the Lord protects His own.

Ironically, I was not even saved at this time, although I was raised in the church and believed in God.

The Lord had a purpose for me. Even now at times when I struggle, the Lord reminds me of how faithful He is and takes me back to that moment when He intervened on my behalf! I know that whatever lies ahead, He is with me.

Praise be to God!

Lori K.

Apopka, FL