My Interstate Angel

I remember it as if it was yesterday…

I was 9 months pregnant with our youngest son and on my way home from an appointment which was in downtown Tampa. I was traveling on Interstate 75 at a high speed and following a open bed dump truck. Something from the back of the truck flew out and was headed right for my car. I didn't have time to react. All I could do was brace for the impact and pray that this flying object wouldn't hit my windshield. Thankfully it didn't but instead it hit the ground and I ran right over it.

The result was a major blow out. I was able to hold onto the wheel long enough to pull off to the side of the road. After I gathered my thoughts, I looked up and realized I was in a very bad section of town. The closest exit was about 4 blocks away. I would need to cross over 4 lanes of cars, at racing speeds, just to get on the right shoulder of the interstate.

I decided to stay put and call my husband, Keith at work. He was about 45 minutes away but I felt it would be safer to just wait for him and not try to find a pay phone. I reached for my purse to get my cell phone. A wave of fear came over me when I realized I didn't have it with me. No phone. No Keith. No rescue.

Plan B was now my only option. I got out of the car and waited for what seemed like an eternity to cross over to the other side of the interstate. I kept thinking to myself "how on earth am I going to make it to the other side with my big 9 month belly flopping around in front if me!" The cars were flying past at top speeds and way too close together. I began to loose hope in crossing over at all. With tears welling up in my eyes, I silently cried out to Jesus and said "I need you.... RIGHT NOW!. Please come and rescue me!"

Less than 60 seconds after I whispered those words, a beat up utility truck pulling an open bed trailer pulled onto the shoulder of the road right across from me. A middle aged man got out, grabbed what looked like a large old tool box and ran across four lanes of traffic. As he came towards me, I noticed that his trailer was full of tires.

Upon his approach, he asked me where my spare was. I showed him and he immediately began to change my shredded tire for the brand new one that was securely stored away in the trunk of my car. He didn't say a word as he worked and I didn't either. I was still in shock as to what had all happened and still wondering how he was able to cross the 4 lanes of traffic so effortlessly.

When he finished I offered to pay him some money for his efforts. He responded with a simple "no thank you." I told him that he was my miracle that I had prayed for and said "you must be an angel". He just looked at me, smiled, and said "you have a nice day now."
With that, he darted back to his truck and drove off. I was to never see him again.

As I drove off, I thanked God for answering my prayer. For sending this unlikely stranger at an unexpected time to rescue an unnerved me!

I'm so thankful that he's my constant source of stability and strength. That I can rest secure in him because he shields me all day long. This story could have ended a lot differently. In fact, when I think about all the possibilities, it gives me a funny feeling in my stomach.

What about you? Have you ever been in a situation where God rescued you from a really bad situation. I'd love to hear about it.