Answer to A Daughter’s

 Prayer

A mother and daughter, with two Saint Bernards, were travelling through Arkansas when a news bulletin came over the radio: “Due to the extensive flooding in southern Tennessee and Missouri, the bridge in Crithersville, Missouri, has been washed out. We suggest you take the Brown’s Ferry crossing instead.” But where was Brown’s Ferry? A gas station attendant gave them directions, and they drove off into the approaching darkness. Were the directions accurate? And were they following them correctly? Again and again they had reason to wonder. In the wind and the rain and the mud they seemed to be driving straight into the isolation of nowhere. Debbie was crying. What if they were lost? Even the Saint Bernards seemed to know that something was wrong. “Deb,” said mother, “I’m not very religious, but maybe we ought to pray. At least we’ll be ready if something does happen.” “OK,” replied Debbie. “You pray.” “I can’t. I’m driving. You pray.” She slowed the car as Debbie prayed a simple prayer to God for Him to help them, and somehow they felt better. Finally they came to a place where the road ahead was flooded. Mother stepped out of the car to see how deep the water was. She could see a strong current on ahead. She had gone about forty feet, turned back, and was almost to the car when another pair of headlights appeared from nowhere. The car stopped. There seemed to be a man inside. “We’re trying to get to Brown’s Ferry,” she told him. “Well,” he said, “I can get you across this flooded area here, and the ferry is just up the road a piece.” And he added, “You be sure and follow closely now.” And of course she did. Slowly and cautiously she followed the other car, with the current of the flooding waters tugging demandingly. Once across the troubled waters, she pulled up beside the man. “Thank you so much,” she said gratefully. “That’s quite all right. Just keep on going ’bout two or three more miles, and you’ll come to the ferry.” Thanking him again, she pulled away and drove on ahead slowly. But looking into the rear-vision mirror she could see no headlights, no car – nothing. “Look back there! There’s no one there!” she nearly shouted at Debbie. Debbie looked back into the gathering blackness. “You’re right!” she said. “I can see no car or anybody behind us.” To this day they each wonder if God had sent an angel to help them that night in answer to their prayers.