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STOPPED BY AN ANGEL AND GOD'S GRACE

Jeremiah 29: vs. 1L For I know the plans I have for you, declares The Lord,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a

future."

Prior to our moving to live in the Beaufort, SC. Area -I commuted to work

everyday for a few years. The drive from Statesboro to Beaufort became

routine and I used this time to make all the checklist of "to do's" Builders

have to keep up with on the various details for each constructionjob.

This one afternoon driving back horne to Statesboro changed my life.

Coming into Oliver ,Ga I slowed down at the stop sign-turned left at the

Church, looked both ways for the police car-that was always on the right.

It wasn't present so 1kept trucking -way too fast straight ahead-I was

writing notes on several legal pads about job details and listening to the

radio. I remember glancing up to check if the Railroad safety arm was down

or the red lights flashing-all was clear-then I glanced up again and saw the

biggest hand 1have ever seen! This hand was huge- it looked like a stop

sign-so I stopped. The hand belonged to a very large Blackman- he wore

overall's, had a red bandana tied around his neck-and wore a railroad cap.

He was dressed something like a railroad person would be dressed.

I stopped the truck and immediately-a CSX train went speeding by at about

60 miles an hour-within 8 feet in front of my truck! When the truck stoppedthe

train blurred by in front of me instantly! The truck, the ground and 1 all

were shaking at the same time. The Blackman was smiling-He never took

his eyes offmy face-He never looked at the train.

I sat there totally stunned-trying to comprehend what had just happened. I

rolled down the passenger side window and asked the Blackman how did he

know I wasn't going to stop? He was right at the passenger window less

than a foot from me. He smiled at me with the most love in his face and

eyes-eyes that seemed to go all the way through me-and said "1 wasn't

trying to stop you- I just wanted to say Hi." I was in shock- I started shaking

but managed to say a weak "thank you". In the next few seconds the train

was past-no safety arm ever came down- no red lights ever came on

I slowly drove across the railroad tracks about 20 feet-by then my brain

finally caught up with the fact that a train running about 60 mph had just

missed hitting me a few feet-because this Man saved me. I stopped the truck

right in the road-put it in park and jumped out to go hug this man and

properly thank Him for saving my lifer

He was gone! Totally vanished in a split second. At that spot there is

nothing to hide behind-or anywhere to go-it's all open land/fields-no treesno

bushes-nothing. I was scared to death-every fiber in my body felt fearevery

hair stood straight up. I realized that God had sent one of His angels

at that very moment to save my life.

I have always known that God had a very real reason for sparing my life

at that time-and pat1 of that reason might be to simply tell others of God's

love for an of us. He has taught me that He is gracious and freely gives

salvation. We do not influence God's decision to save us, He saves us

according to His plan. There is no way to take credit for our salvation

or allow room for pride. All we can do is express our thankfulness for His

wonderful love. God has taught me that He is interested in every detail and

all circumstances in our lives. Quite a few years have past since that day at

the railroad tracks in Oliver. Georgia; I'm thankful for everyday-each one is

truly God's present to us.

Hard pressed to leave a "sportsman tip" this time- but would like to ask a

favor. In your travels- should you meet the Man described above-He stands

about 6ft 3-4" weights at least 300 lbs and moves from zero to infinity in

one eye blink. After you thank Him for what He has done for you-please tell

Him that I look forward to being able to properly thank Him for what He

has done for me.

God Bless Each One,

Ed Ellis

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