Promises and Prayers - The Near Miss

This morning was a special work-related event. I therefore had the opportunity to sleep a little later than usual because it was closer to home than my office. Those who know me well know I enjoy times like these (i.e., I'm not a morning person). I drive out of my complex, and stop before hitting the main road. I thought the road was clear, but after I came out, a van going in the opposite direction passed me within a few feet. Had a hesitated a split second longer or had he been driving a little faster, I'd have been a goner...or hospitalized at the least. And it would have been my fault. It seems the reason I didn't see the van was because a pedestrian blocked the view, but I clearly didn't think they obscured enough of a view for me to miss an on-coming vehicle.

Rewind to about an hour and a half before this. I woke up (as I do all mornings), but there was one difference. While I was doing my morning prayer, I had a weird feeling/sensation that I was hit and the blow rendered me either unconscious or lifeless. There was darkness...and I had no idea what it was that hit me, how it hit or why. That's the best explanation I can come up with. It was an extremely weird and uncomfortable feeling. I'm accustomed to having weird dreams, but this certainly wasn't a dream. I was tired, yes, and perhaps a bit groggy, but certainly awake.

There was no way to be clear on whether or not it was related to me, or anyone else I know. So naturally, I prayed the harder. I covered myself, my family, my coworkers, friends... I prayed for safety and protection from harm and accidents.

Fast forward to about 10 hours later. I'm having a conversation with my boss at work and that is when I made the connection about my morning events. What I seem to have experienced this morning seemed a foreshadow of what should have happened - I should have been hit by the on-coming van. The interesting thing to note is that because it was coming from my right, any collision of great magnitude would mean that my body would have been directly hit.

Fast forward another few hours. I'm listening to Chip Ingram and what does he speak about - Prayer (and people who pray great prayers) and God's promises. Co-incidence? Absolutely not! I'm currently looking at God's promises in the Bible. One of the most important promises I've encountered is answered prayers. I asked this morning for protection. That I received.

This is my year of Crazy, Radical Faith. Without prayer, this is impossible. Today I was reminded that I cannot cease praying...instead, I must amp it up! That's the only way God will continue to do wonders in my life and those around me. More and more I believe he can do exceedingly, abundantly above all I can ask or think...the "impossible"!

Thank God for another day I made it home safely. Almost does count, because an almost miss is my testimony. He's true to his promises and I continue to claim them in prayer.