THE DAY AN ANGEL SAVED OUR DAUGHTER’S LIFE

(Excerpt from Jim’s new book pictured above, to order go to Jim’s Web site.)
The door on that old van had always given us trouble, but I never expected the terror that would follow on this quiet summer day in Denver.
I had completed seven hours of exhausting roto tilling, and it was time to return the machine to the rental shop. Marleen our bouncy, blond four-year-old wanted to ride with me and hopped in the front seat. I loaded the roto tiller in that old van, and headed for the shop having no idea what was about to happen.
We returned the machine and climbed in for the trip home. I was relieved that a hard day’s work was over, and I was anxious to get home and rest. Marleen stuck her head out the window to feel the wind in her face hanging on that old door. I was glad she was having such a good time. These were the days before seat belts, and I didn’t think she was in any danger.
As we approached a busy intersection, I had to make a left turn across three lanes of traffic. I had made this turn a thousand times, because it was only a half mile from our home. I noticed a huge semi-trailer truck barreling toward us, but thought I could make the turn in front of him in time.
I gave it full power to make the turn, and all of a sudden I heard Marleen scream for help. The old door had flown open with Marleen hanging over the pavement ready to fall into the path of that huge truck and be crushed by its eighteen wheels. I knew the truck couldn’t stop in time, so all I could do was continue the turn and hope Marleen could hang on to the window ledge. But I knew it would be impossible for her little hands to stay on the rounded edges of the door. There was nothing for her to grab and hold. In a flash it looked like she would be killed because of my negligence. How could I ever forgive myself? How could I tell Reenie, that Marleen was dead and I was responsible? Would she collapse in sadness for years? Would she ever forgive me? Would our life ever be normal? It is surprising all the things that flashed through my mind in a second. (I still have shivers writing this today.)
Miraculously she held on even through a violent bump in the road! I stopped the van on the side of the road and tried to catch my breath. I was nervous from fright but felt relief she was still there. What had happened? How did she hold on? Marleen turned to me and said, “Daddy, someone held my hands on the door!”
I have always believed in the reality of God’s angels, because they are mentioned over 300 times in His Word; but I had just seen tangible evidence of their loving work! An angel had been sent by our loving Lord to hold my daughter’s hands on that swinging door and save her life. His grace and love overruled my own irresponsibility. He still had a plan for her and He would keep her alive until that plan was fulfilled.
We can all look back on times when we almost died, but were saved. This should give us confidence that God still has a plan for us. If we are alive, He has a purpose for us being here on earth.
Our Father is good. Whether He had saved Marleen or not, I would say He is still good, even though I wouldn’t understand Him. But on this bright, summer day He sent an angel to save my daughter and bail out her dad.