“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they’ll be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7&8
I was uncomfortable seeing Kelly leave to go back to school after Easter break. It wasn’t just that it was starting to snow. Snow wasn’t unusual for early spring in Michigan. Kelly was upset about something, and I was concerned the stress would cause her to be distracted. But she was eighteen, and it was not my call to make.
“Drive carefully,” we said, hugging her.
“I will,” she promised.
Kelly’s little car, “Phoebe” was in the shop, so she was borrowing our minivan. Along with her suitcase, she had a very large, old television. Her brother had tried to sell the monstrosity, but since most of the population had discovered flat screen TVs, he hadn’t found anyone willing to haul it away, much less buy it. So we had decided it belonged in the family summer home on the other side of the state.
Meanwhile, Marty’s sister had heard that her niece was heading in that direction, so she asked if Kelly could take her new patio furniture cushions as far as school. Marty and I planned to pick up Phoebe later, drive to the college, trade vehicles with Kelly, and drive the rest of the way to the lake house in the minivan. So over, under, and around the other cargo were stuffed about a dozen large cushions.
“Drive carefully,” I repeated, hugging Kelly one more time.
“I will,” she promised again.
So, as my daughter headed out with the loaded minivan, I whispered a prayer and quickly set about my work before I could start missing her.
Less than an hour later, we got the kind of call parents dread; there had been an accident.
On the way to the scene of the wreck, we passed an ambulance going the other way. After confirming that Kelly was in the ambulance, we turned around and made a beeline for the hospital.
Here’s what had happened, as Kelly later told us:
The snow was flying, but visibility was decent, as Kelly followed a slow-moving semi. After a few minutes of what felt like crawling, she pulled out to pass. Hitting an unexpected slick patch, the minivan was suddenly airborne. Kelly cried out one short prayer:
“Jesus, help me!“
The car landed on its side, rolled into the median and came to a stop, upside down. When the dust cleared, Kelly tried to reach for her phone, but it was out of reach, and she was unable to take off the seatbelt.
She continued to cry out to God – or anyone within earshot – unsure how long she would be dangling there and already starting to feel cold.
Less than two minutes later, Kelly heard what seemed like the voice of an angel, saying, “Hi there. I’m a paramedic. This is supposed to be my day off, but I guess I’m on duty today after all.” He told her to cover her head, and when she did he kicked in the already shattered window and helped her out. The next thing she knew, she was being taken to an ambulance, even though she insisted she wasn’t hurt.
When Marty and I got to the hospital, we were told that Kelly was being examined, and we were to wait. When we spotted her small form walking toward us in the hallway, she looked sheepish and upset – was she worried we’d be mad about the minivan?! We hurried to enfold her in a “group hug,” and she started to cry. We asked if she was hurt. She said no … well, except for a headache. Since Kelly had had migraines most of her life, we sighed and thought, What else is new? But this time there was another reason. The TV had been thrown toward the front seat, and from the bump on the back of her head, it had apparently made some kind of contact. But the fact that Kelly was still alive told us that her aunt’s cushions had achieved their purpose and put a thick, insulating layer between her and the projectile that could have killed her.
As we filled out the needed paperwork, Kelly was given some pain reliever for the headache and sent home. I didn’t want to act too glad that I got another day with my “BabyBear,” but I did laugh when she apologized for totaling my minivan. I assured her I really didn’t like the thing anyway and was looking forward to finding something a little cooler, now that my youngest was in college.
All our Facebook friends were treated to pictures of what was left of my car, and no one could believe that Kelly had come out with nothing more than a bump on the head. I was amazed myself, and grateful she had not been driving little Phoebe, which might not have shielded her quite as well. I’ve been quick to tell people about Kelly’s mid-air, 3-word prayer and the “angel” that appeared moments after the crash. Not to mention the extra cargo literally cushioning the blow. I see a strong connection between the prayer and the “lucky” details, and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
When I say a prayer I can sometimes get caught up in composing lengthy, eloquent masterpieces. Am I trying to impress God? If I could fathom just how much He loves me, I would remember that the main reason I pray is to join my heart with His; as I yield to Him, He aligns me with His will. Sometimes short, spontaneous prayers are enough.
Prayers like Please take care of her, Lord.
And “Jesus! Help me!”
Beautiful story!
Thanks for sharing ❤
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My pleasure, Ann. 🙂
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I am happy that Kelly was safe. I felt your mother’s grief when your heard that there had been an accident. Yes, luckily she was driving a larger vehicle that day.
God hears our heartfelt prayers, those that are long, and especially those that are short. “Jesus help me” is one of my favourites. 🤗
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Oh yeah. I sometimes wonder if He’s like my husband, when I’m talking on and on … “Excuse me, is there a bottom line to this?” 😉
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Haha…God loves all our prayers..
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Amazing, miraculous, God is good. Thank for your sharing this story. -C.D.
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God stories are for sharing. My pleasure. 😉
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Proof that prayer works!
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Amen!
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Oh, so scary when our kids are out on the road. So thankful that God loves them !
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Yes, He does! – Even more than we do. (!!!)
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I totally agree. I have always testified that my most powerful prayers were short “blasts” of words stemming from a deep inward groaning which could produce a book. But yes, I can tell you, answers (action) came from my short phrase prayers. I believe they come from that depth inside where His Spirit communes with ours. So glad Kelly survived such an ordeal. God’s grip – Alan
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Yes, I’ve also known those “groanings that words can’t express” (Romans 8:26) So glad He knows it ALL.
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Glad Kelly is safe. And oh yes, God answers prayers, including the 1sec long ones
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LOL, yes, I think He likes it when we get to the point. 😉
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Yessssss!!! The short ones work, too. Thankful your baby girl wasn’t injured beyond the bump and that the Lord saved mama’s heart from undue anguish. I remember a time I was so overwhelmed with raising a budding teenage boy filled with angst and everything in between and all I could pray was, “Help” with tears running down my cheeks. Today, I look back with gratitude that this boy is turning a man and the sea for the most part, isn’t as boisterous as it was before.
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Yes! God looks after the mamas, too! Do you ever look back and wonder how you got through those years? (I guess we know why, but still …)
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He does! So thankful
Oh yes, I have and the only words that come to mind now, are “Just God!” Whew!!
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Indeed, the short ones work too. A miracle. So happy that your daughter Kelly is safe and well. Thank you for sharing this 😊.
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No problem. Sharing my God stories is just about my favorite thing to do. 😉
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What a powerful testimony to the fact He is ever watching over us and hears our every cry. Thanks for sharing this!
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My pleasure, Marissa!
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I’m so glad she is ok! How scary!! Isn’t God so amazing? ❤️
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Yes, He loves our children even more than we do! (That is a huge comfort in worrisome times.)
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Glad she’s okay!
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So am I, Debi Sue!
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Yes, the short ones work! Sometimes my short prayers are more from the heart than the longer ones I think too hard about. Once I just said the name, Jesus, over and over and felt his powerful love wrap around me.
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Oh yes! His name alone is powerful. And comforting. ❤
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Wonderfully encouraging, that the number of our words is not directly proportional to God’s attention! Peter comes to mind, as he was sinking in the Sea of Galilee. “Lord, save me!” was all he could manage too! Thank you for sharing this memorable story, Ann.
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Thank YOU, Nancy. It also occurred to me later the power of just one word – Jesus’ name – “…and all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
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AMEN!
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Comforting words, especially to a mom whose oldest is taking her driver’s exam in a couple of weeks! God is able — and is not deaf!!
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Aww… blessings to her. Glad I could be of encouragement. God is watching over our children – He’s THEIR Father, too. 😉
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What a beautiful testimony, and I am relieved that she is okay!
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Thank you. 🙂
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Yes, keep it simple. He knows what’s best and what He’ll do anyway.
When I get into a more detailed prayer, it’s mostly for my benefit. I “talk it out.” It helps me feel the Holy Spirit wash over me.
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Yes, both are definitely good. Spending TIME in prayer is a beautiful thing, whether we’re talking it out or not saying anything.
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Wow I am so late reading this! I’m glad for God’s providence with those cushion saving her! I was in a serious accident in Iraq where I learn sometimes its not just the bombs outside you have to watch out for, it all the things inside a vehicle that is flying and flipping around that can be just as dangerous. Wow glad for God’s mercy.
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Yes, the cushions, the larger vehicle, the EMS driver on his “day off” …
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Providence in so many ways!
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Also thank you for reading my post on sanctification!
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My pleasure. Your posts are always good. 😉
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=)
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A wonderful story. I think you must love your “BabyBear” as much as I love my “AngelFace”! Blessings, Annie!
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❤
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