Encounter With an Angel

On a dark, country road, a stranger came to my aid. Was this a Heavenly visitation?

I recently recalled an incident I had several years ago which I've never been able to explain.  At the time, I wasn't that much into spritual things.  Lately, I have been wondering more and more, was this an angelic intervention?

 

While driving back from Richmond on my way through Newport News, I noticed my gas gauge was getting pretty low.  I wasn't too concerned, because my warning light had not yet come on and when it did, I usually could go another 20 miles or so before I actually ran out of gas.  I knew there was a Mobil station on route 17, right on my way shortly after crossing the James River Bridge and I had a Mobil credit card, so I planned on stopping there for a fillup.

 

This was sort of in an isolated location, away from a heavily-populated area.  As I approached the gas station on the left, I got in the turn-off lane, preparing to pull in and take care of business.  Just then, the engine started to choke down.  As there were cars coming in the opposite direction, I had to stop, not wanting to risk pulling in front of oncoming traffic and having my motor cut off.

 

Sure enough, my fears were realized.  The car died.  I was out of gas.  I could not start it again, even though the gas station was just across the median, a few feet away.  Suddenly, I was aware someone was behind me and he started pushing my vehicle.  "I'll give you a push," he yelled.  He just appeared out of nowhere, a grubby-looking character, wearing a t-shirt and a ball cap, heavy-set with hairy, strong arms.

 

He easily pushed me all the way into the station and right up to the self-service pump.  At that point, I got out of the car and thanked him for his help, explaining to him my warning light had never come on and running out of gas had caught me completely by surprise.  I turned to insert the pump into my gas tank and, just then the thought occurred to me, maybe I should offer him a gratuity, perhaps $5 for his trouble.  I turned back again and -- he was gone.  He just completely disappeared.

 

Here was someone who appeared out of nowhere when I needed help and who vanished after the task was done.  I've often wondered, was he my guardian angel?  Could anyone else see him?  When I got out of the car and was talking to him, did it appear to everyone else standing at the other pumps that I was talking to myself?  Where did he go?  It was a fairly open area and there was no time for him to walk away completely out of sight in the 5 or so seconds while I put the pump in the gas tank.

 

I can't explain to this day where he came from or where he went, but I have not forgotten it.  We may be surprised one day to learn just how many times we may have experienced divine intervention and weren't even aware of it.

 

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

There's no doubt that we get a little push from time to time, but I'm not sure who or what to attribute it to. Many times in the past, I've helped push a car, given someone a jump or helped them change a tire. Was God using me? I don't know, but am pretty sure he approved of what I did. Conversely, I've received help when I needed it. Whether seen in a Biblical context or not, I believe we reap what we sew. What goes around, comes around, does it not? Excellent writing, Bill.

[hpyfet]

lovely story...liked it very much...I believe in Divine happenings as well. glad you. were helped an safe. love ya...deb