Known as the core agricultural area of a rather large county, our small town is one of the last quaint bedroom communities of an area and era notorious for its corn, branded with the namesake of our city. Endless orchards have been slowly devoured by progress. We moved here twenty-three years ago, certain God had chosen this new area for us to raise our young children, then aged, four, three, and four months. As our town continues to be a mix of rural and suburban neighborhoods, we delight every spring as the cherry, apricot, peach, and nectarine orchards bring forth their buds, and blossom like a sea of pink across the land. At the end of May ‘you pick’ season opens with cherries followed by apricots, peaches, and nectarines. Our quiet town is suddenly converged upon by out-of-towners, who cause bumper to bumper traffic along the roughly thirty-four-mile two lane road in and out of town, eager to strip the orchards of every piece of fruit, like a swarm of locusts.
One night, several years ago, I was driving home from an in-home candle party. I had left our three children in the very capable hands of my wonderful mother-in-law, who expected me home at a predetermined time. As I made my way home, I remembered I didn’t have cream for my morning coffee and I decided to stop at the store, extremely aware of the late hour and that I was alone.
Upon arriving at the store, I made my way to the refrigerated section where the cream should have been. I saw that it was completely sold out, which was incredibly unusual to me. Still wanting cream, I decided to go to another store, and I walked back to my car, again aware of my surroundings.
I got into my car and immediately locked the door. After starting my car and preparing to back out, I glanced in my driver’s side mirror and saw a woman approaching. She seemed to appear out of nowhere. My heart began racing and I was fighting off a feeling of dread. The woman came right up to my window and started talking to me. I rolled the window down just a bit, only enough to allow a finger into the space if she tried anything. She was holding a piece of paper and pointing to something printed on it saying, “I’m late. I needed to be there by 9:00 p.m.” I thought to myself, she is more than late because it was well after 9:00 p.m. I asked her where she needed to go. Again, she pointed to the paper she was holding, this time showing me a map and repeating that she needed to be there by 9:00 p.m. I asked her the address and when she told me, I pointed her in the right direction. This didn’t satisfy her. She noticed my cell phone and asked if she could borrow it to let the person she needed to meet know that she was on her way. I shook my head no and told her there was a payphone by the entrance of the store. When she realized I wasn’t going to help her she walked away in the direction of the pay phone.
As I made my way out of the parking lot, I thought about how satisfying cream for my morning coffee would be and decided to continue to the other store making sure to park directly in front. As I got out of my car I felt the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I searched my surroundings but didn’t see anything out of the ordinary. Once in the store, I found and purchased my cream, got back in my car and headed home. The brief drive was mostly uneventful until I was a short block away from my house.
I was turning onto the main street that leads into our development when I noticed the car behind me do the same. This wasn’t unusual, as many people use this route to get to their homes. I was about to turn into our court when I heard a very distinct inner voice, clear as a church bell ringing in the crystal silence of an early morning and as tangible as if it were spoken aloud, guiding me, “Do not turn into your court.” Heeding this warning, I turned in the opposite direction. The car behind me did the same. This was still not unusual because there were three streets ahead in the direction I was traveling onto which the car could turn. I decided to make a few more turns and the car behind me did the same. It was now obvious to me this car was following me. The dread I experienced earlier returned and my mind was racing with thoughts about what I should do.
As I drove back out of our development, adrenaline coursed through my body and shook me with fear. I decided to drive to the police station. If this car continued to follow me then it would follow me to the local authorities.
As I drove, I began praying the Lord’s Prayer out loud. I was so nervous, I kept jumbling the words, but I didn’t care I just kept praying. I approached a stoplight and repeatedly said, “Lord, please don’t let the light turn red, please don’t let the light turn red.” The light turned red. My prayer became, “Lord, please don’t let them get out of the car, please don’t let them get out of the car.” I kept a vigilant watch on my mirrors to make sure the car’s occupants, two men in the front seat and in the back seat the woman who approached me in the parking lot, to make sure they didn’t get out of their car and move toward me. I also held my cell phone in one hand ready to call 911. Why I didn’t call 911 to begin with I can’t say, however, It was the longest red light EVER.
I continued driving toward the police station with my prayers and unwanted followers when the most amazing thing happened. In my rearview mirror I saw a great white beam of light come between me and the car following me. The beam of light appeared to be several stories tall and what seemed to be outstretched arms on each side. Still looking in my rearview mirror I saw the car that had been following me slowly roll to a complete stop. The headlights flickered then went dark right there in the middle of the road. My jaw dropped as I slowed down in stunned silence.
Not waiting to see what happened next, I drove around for another fifteen minutes to be sure I was no longer being followed. Still shaken, I made my way home, certain I had just witnessed a miracle in the dark.
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.
Isaiah 54:17
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