Today, I saw first hand the evidence of God's care and protection. It is not a story of survival but of preservation.

I left home on a simple unplanned errand, to pick up some free pea plant starts from a local farm called Seed2Fork. I thought it would be nice to take my 4 year old grandson along. We got on the road and soon my grandson was asleep peacefully in his car seat. Arriving at the farm, I picked out some plants while my grandson slept.

I had told my work at home wife that I'd bring home lunch while I was as out, so I made a stop in a small town restaurant to pick up my order. On my way out of the shopping center, at the corner intersection, stopped at the red light, I was set to make a left turn when the left arrow would allow.

I had glanced down while waiting for the light but on looking up at the light, I saw it had turned green. Since I had looked down, I was a few seconds late to begin my left turn. I had the green arrow and the intersection was clear so I started out… on proceeding out into the intersection,, I was commited to the turn when out of the side of my eye I saw movement… fast movement! A car, truck or SUV was coming (I still am not sure what kind of vehicle it was) and on course to speed right through the red light. That red light, I was trusting to hold back any traffic so I could execute my left turn safely.

The Bible says, "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them." — Psalm 34:7 and "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." — Psalm 91:11‭-‬12

At that moment I was seeing God's promises being played out. I was being kept and delivered according to the promises. Preserved from what I believe would have been certain death for me and at least serious injury to my sleeping 4 year old grandchild in the rear right side of my car.

With instant response my foot hit the brake to a full stop in the intersection as the speeding vehicle rocketed across the front of my car in what seemed like mere inches away. Had my foot not slammed on the brake and the speeding car had struck me at 60mph it would have been right at my driver's side door and I would be a goner… except for plans and promises my God was carrying out that very instant for me and my grandson.

Why? I ask. Looking at myself I cannot say why, but looking at my grandson I exclaim, "Thank you! Oh, God thank you!" God preserved three lives in that second, mine, my grandson and the reckless speeder. Who can say why?

A few minutes after I completed my left turn, two Sherrifs cars sped past me with lights flashing and sirens blaring. They were going in the same direction as the reckless driver. So for the reckless driver the story had not ended… but will, I'm sure.

Faithful is the Great God who is merciful, gracious and true to His Word. God is trustworthy and always there. We cannot always know why things happen or don't happen for that matter, but we can know that if we put our trust in God, we can rest in the shadow of His wings.

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." — Psalm 91:1, "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." — Psalm 63:7