It happens all the time. Something surprising and fortuitous falls into place just as you would wish and just at the right time. And you wonder if some metaphysical force had something to do with it. Was it a coincidence or a God incidence? I’m going to tell you about two firsthand experiences, that I have to believe were conducted by God. Let me know what you think.

How Many Incidents are Too Many?

My husband, Bob, and I were traveling from Atlanta to near Tampa, a 455-mile drive on interstate 75. We had just finished working the two-week January gift show and our car trunk was full of products.

Suddenly the car in front of us swerved to the left and a second later we found out why. Directly in front of us was a wooden pallet that had fallen off a truck and we were headed straight for it. In spite of my husband’s efforts to avoid the pallet, there were cars all around us and we had no choice but to hit it. The collision caused us to violently swerve and spin around.  I was expecting the impact of another car, but it never came.  We, eventually stopped on the side of the road as the traffic whizzed by, terrified, but amazed, that we hadn’t been hit by one or more cars and badly injured.

After somewhat calming his nerves, my husband slowly continued down the highway. It only took moments before we realized the car had been damaged and would need immediate repairs. We pulled off the highway at the next exit where we were surprised to find a tire and repair shop. It was midafternoon and they were still open and able to make the repairs while we waited.

Replacing 2 tires and 3 chrome rims allowed us to continue our journey but now it was dark outside. A few miles down the road the car started sputtering which produced the dreadful sinking feeling. Because of the chaos of the last few hours, Bob had forgotten that he had been looking for a gas station before the accident. Once again, we pulled off the highway at the next exit.

This was an uphill exit so we could only coast part way. Bob walked to the top to find only empty space. We were in a rural area of South Georgia. It was cold and dark and there were no lights anywhere.

Not having AAA roadside service, we called 911. After what seemed like hours, a police woman with a bad cold arrived. She was there to provide security, but we still needed to obtain gas ourselves. It was miles to a gas station.

As we considered our option, a man in a pickup truck pulled in front of us and asked if he could help. Appraised of our situation, he offered to return with some gas. In the meantime, my husband couldn’t let the sick police woman stand in the cold by herself, so out he went. Twenty minutes later we started to wonder if our truck driver would be back.

Thankfully, he did return. It was when he got out of his truck that we could see that he had long hair and a beard and around his neck was a giant Christian cross. He poured the gas into our tank, we thanked him profusely, and offered him money to pay for the gas, which he adamantly refused. We started the car….well, we attempted to start the car.

We had initially made several attempts to get to the top of the ramp. And because we had the emergency light on since we stopped, our battery was now dead. But our Good Samaritan hadn’t left yet. So back he went to get charger cables.

A while later we were finally able to continue our trip. However, by now, I don’t think the police woman thought us capable of taking care of ourselves. So, she followed us to the next exit where we could get gas. We were so grateful for her care that we pulled a few gift items out of the trunk and, against her protest, we insisted that she take them.

As we entered the restaurant next to the gas station, we were exhausted and emotionally drained. But also, giddy and laughing at how unbelievable the day had been. We had made it out alive.

We survived the accident without a scratch. We found a tire garage immediately at the first exit. A Good Samaritan went out of his way, twice, to help. God incident? Maybe God was making our crooked path straight. What do you think?

September 11, 2001 – World Trade Center

In August of 2001, my husband, Bob and I were in NY city for a trade show. We represented several gift manufacturers and were negotiating with another company to represent them as well. The new company had a small office and 7 employees at the World Trade Center and wanted us to visit their office after the trade show and before leaving town. As much as we would have liked to do so, we were unable to fit the visit into our schedule.

On Sept 11, 2001, I was in my home office. Bob was on the phone with a lady at one of the companies we worked with, who told him that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. I ran to the TV to see what was being broadcast and I watched as the 2nd plane flew into the side of the 2nd tower. This was obviously, no accident. Our first concern was for the people that we had met, who worked there.  It took several anxious days before we were able to connect with anyone from the company. The story they told was nothing less than a miracle.

The owner of the company was delayed in leaving a trade show in Boston. As a result, she asked an employee to cover for her at a 2nd trade show, so neither of them was at their office. A third employee was running late and a fourth had to drop off her child at daycare before coming in. She was on the bridge crossing into Manhattan when the 1st plane struck. The fifth employee stayed home with the flu and the 6th had left the building to run some errands. The 7th company employee was at the printer’s working on their catalog.

No one from the company was at their World Trade Center office on Sept 11th when the planes struck. Someone was taking care of this little group.

What was the latest God incidence you have had?

Relevant Scripture

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Isaiah 45:2
I will go before you and make crooked places straight

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me: