The message that saved my life

Taine Dry

Originally appeared online in the teen series: Your Healings - January 15, 2019

Have you ever heard God’s voice? As a kid, I had listened to Bible stories about God speaking to people, especially if they were in danger or just needed help. Whatever they heard from God gave them direction and kept them safe. I liked those stories, but I never expected that to happen to me. Then, one sunny Sunday afternoon, it did.

My family and I were going to the Sunday market that opened every four weeks. After church and Sunday School, we planned to grab a bite to eat at the market, then head home. Our church and the market were separated by a busy four-lane road, and we had to cross all four lanes to get to the shops.

Usually when we crossed the street, my dad would hold my hand and my sister’s. But that day I was extra excited to get to the market and wanted to go fast across the road on my own.

“Go,” my dad said. So I started running across the road.

But my dad hadn’t said, “Go.” He’d said, “No.” As I was running across the road, I didn’t hear my dad screaming for me to stop. I didn’t hear the cars rushing behind me. But I did hear a loud, firm voice in my head: “STOP!”

I stopped, and as I did, a speeding car flew past me just inches from my body. My dad grabbed me from behind and hugged me. I could see the panic and relief in his face, and he could see the shock and confusion in mine.

What was the voice that saved me? God. I know that just like God spoke to people in those Bible stories, God spoke to me on that busy road. And like those people, I heard it in a way that I could understand perfectly and that kept me safe.

What was the voice that saved me? God.

I’ve been in situations where I’ve been struggling with something, or felt afraid, or been in trouble, and I’ve had time to sit down and pray. But that day wasn’t one of those. There wasn’t enough time for a prayer. But I knew from attending the Christian Science Sunday School that God is always with me and protecting me. And sure enough, He was.

I’ve also learned that taking time to pray every day can help you hear God’s voice guiding you so you can make wise decisions. Listening to God can even steer you away from dangerous situations before you get into them.

This passage from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy helps me understand how God is always protecting everyone: “Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions’ den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless” (p. 514). Love is another name for God, and I know that I am perfectly safe in the arms of Love no matter what I’m facing.•

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