(A few weeks ago, I mentioned in the post “59 and Counting” that my sister was involved in a terrible automobile crash on her way to our wedding in 1965. I was surprised to learn that my “children,” now in their 50’s, had never heard of that incident. So I am going to let my sister tell it in her own words. It is, truly, an amazing story of God’s protection):
“Trusting in our loving Heavenly Father, on a hot Saturday afternoon in August, 1965, my sister Nancy and I left my home in Denver, Colorado, in a 1963 VW, heading for Iowa to attend a family wedding. This trip usually took about sixteen hours. A few friends had gathered around the car, and we prayed together for God’s care over us. Our assistant pastor good-naturedly quipped, ‘Don’t let the wind blow this Volkswagen off the road.’ And, since there was no air conditioning in the vehicle, our plan was to drive all night when it would not be so hot. Traveling with us were our three children: Nancy’s son Mark, 9, and my sons, Kerry and Kevin, aged 10 and 9. We had no television, so we were unaware of the weather reports.
Midway across Kansas, in the middle of the night, we encountered rain so heavy that we stopped along the road beside a business where a security light shined brightly above us like a guardian. Moments after we stopped, the light began going off and on again. It did not occur to us that the storm could be causing the interference with the electrical service. Fearful that our presence there was an offense to someone inside, Nancy drove on into the storm, though it was raining so hard we could barely see.
About ten minutes after we left the security light, our Volkswagen was caught by a gust of wind (official reports claimed that the winds gusted up to 85 miles per hour). The small car with its five occupants went end over end three times and rolled over twice, coming to a stop at the bottom of a ravine. It was back on its wheels, lights still on. It looked like a piece of foil paper that had been crushed in someone’s hand, headliner hanging loose, and the key broken off in the ignition.
I was thrown out of the passenger door, clear of the vehicle’s path. When I realized that I was lying on the ground in the rain, I stood up and began walking toward the car lights, about 80 feet away. As I began to walk, I stumbled over Kerry. I pulled him to his feet. He seemed to awaken. He had been thrown out from the rear window, and I believe that he was asleep and had simply slept through the wild ride. What a blessed relief—that he seemed to be unharmed. I breathed a sincere thank you to my heavenly Father.
As I neared the car, I heard Nancy screaming, still seated in the driver’s seat, while Mark and Kevin remained in the rear seat. Incredibly, they were all able to get out of their seats and stand up, and we walked up to the road. A passing motorist notified the highway patrol and we soon had help. The officer took my family to the nearby hospital for a check-up while I stayed at the site, flashlight in hand, gathering up clothing and other personal belongings from all over the hillside.
The following morning, the highway patrolman took us to the place where the car had been towed. He told me he had never seen anyone survive such wreckage. Yet there were no injuries. I believe we have guardian angels, and that God uses them to protect us. I believe in answered prayer. The wonderful hymn “Under His Wings” is a beautiful reminder of God’s protection. I have loved this hymn as long as I have known the Lord.
‘Under His wings I am safely abiding. Though the night deepens and tempests are wild. Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me. He has redeemed me and I am His child. Under His wings, under His wings, who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.’” (As told by Mary Ann Wilson)
(My father picked up Mary Ann, Nancy, and their boys in Goodland, Kansas, and drove them to our home in Ottumwa, Iowa. Mary Ann’s husband was flown by a friend to Seymour, Iowa, where his folks lived, and he and Mary Ann were reunited; they all then traveled the second long leg of their journey to be at our wedding the next Saturday in North Wilkesboro, NC. Mary Ann sang beautifully at our wedding on a hot—no air-conditioning in the church, either!— Saturday night in August. Their pilot friend then flew them back to Denver.)
“He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God, in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” (Ps.91:1-3)
YOU and GOD 