By Annelise Jagitsch
“Kids unbuckle your seat belts now!” Mom looked worried. We were driving home from church when the car started to spin out of control. It was snowing again this frigid winter. The road was icy and we had just started down a hill. At the bottom of this hill was a lake. My father is a very experienced snow driver but black ice is unpredictable and can catch even the best drivers off guard. Unknown to us, the entire road down the hill had become a sheet of ice. As we began to slide and spin down the hill in our minivan, my mom began to pray. “Lord, please stop this car! We can’t stop it; if you don’t we will all plunge into that pond. We will be stuck in a sinking car in freezing water. Please help us, Lord. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.”
My two brothers and I had unbuckled but we still held tightly to our seats. As the lake grew closer and closer I wondered how God would save us from our impending polar plunge. All that stood between us and the frigid lake water was a small bench. There was no way that would stop us. The road had been plowed and there was a small snow bank a few feet high, but earlier that day I had kicked one over so I knew that it wouldn’t hold a full-sized van.
The lake got closer and closer and I was sure I was about to go for a freezing swim. Suddenly, the car jerked to a stop on the edge of the lake. We let out the breath we had been holding. As we stepped out of the car we looked around to see what had stopped us. To our utter amazement, there was nothing in sight. We looked all around the car but there was nothing there. We had hit the snow bank and gone into it. I kicked it and the whole snow bank fell.
That day I saw firsthand how God protects those who love him. People talk about getting to heaven and asking their guardian angels about all their close encounters. I’m going to ask mine what it’s like catching an out-of-control minivan full of people. I would love to see him do that!
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