 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Devotional |
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
I
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
I
