It was New Year's Day, about nine months after I learned to listen and obey the voice of God.  I just finished serving dinner, dessert, and coffee to a house full of holiday company.

    Usually I would leave some things on the table, for those who like to pick whenever they want to.  But, I heard the voice of God telling me to pack all the food and put it in my car.  So, without telling anyone what I was doing, I started to pack the food.

    My mother said, "What are you doing?  There are still people at the table."

    I answered saying, "I have to pack up the food and take it somewhere."  Where? I don't know!

    "You are not putting it away in the refridge?"

    "No, I have to put it in my car."

    "Where are you going?" everyone asked.

    "I really do not know, yet!  But, I have to go.  I know that it sounds crazy.  I don't know where I am going.  But, God will get me there."

    "Where?"

    (Oh! ... the questions, on and on.)  "I just have to go!"

    My husband said I should take his truck because my car's heater wasn't working and I was low on gas.  I thanked him, but said I was told to take my car.  Why?  I did not know.

    "OK, God, where are you sending me?"  Bricktown was his answer.  Well, Bricktown was approximately 20 minutes away.  I was very low on gas and the local gas stations had closed,  early, for the holiday.

    Off I went!  I just followed the directions of the Lord's voice, in my head.  I knew nothing about Bricktown, except for the entrance to the Parkway that ran through New Jersey.

    The voice said, "Go down County Line Road to the end, turn left, straight ahead three miles, turn right, go down two blocks, make a left, then a right, then another left ... go real slow, on the next street, and pull into the 4th driveway.

    "Ok, God, we are here.  But, no one else is!"

    There were no lights on and everywhere, around the property, was dark.  Did I get mixed up on the directions?  I thought I followed everything I heard.  "Oh God! what am I doing here?"

    "Knock on the door!" said God, in a loud voice.

    "OK, but no one is here."

    "KNOCK ON THE DOOR! ... KNOCK, AGAIN!"  And so I did; over and over again, I knocked on that front door.  Then, I put the head lights of my car on and walked all around the house; knocking on every door and window I could reach.  No Answer!

    I was freezing.  So, I went back to the car and shut off the lights. so I wouldn't have a dead battery (this was before cell phones).  Then, there I sat, in the freezing car.  I slid down lower, behind the steering wheel, and started staring at the lines of this A framed house.  It looked like a little Swiss Chalet and there was a little glow flickering at the very top point of the house.

    "God, am I seeing right?  Is that the glow of a candle?"

    "GET OUT OF THE CAR ... AND KNOCK ON THAT DOOR!  DO IT, NOW!  KNOCK AGAIN, AND AGAIN.  POUND ON THAT DOOR!  DO IT, NOW!"

    The door slowly opened.  A woman was standing there in a robe and her hair was wrapped in a towel.  "I'm sorry to bother you," I said.  "But, do you know anyone that needs food?  I was told to bring food here.  But, I don't know if I am at the right address."

    The woman started to cry.  I said, "I don't mean to offend you.  Maybe it's for someone you know ..."  She was sobbing, now.  I hugged her ... and she was shaking!  "I apologize for upsetting you."

    Sobbing, she said, "You don't understand!"  I thought to myself, "You are so right.  I don't understand."

    Still sobbing uncontrollably, she told me that she had three children; one a new born, only a few days old.  Her husband was in the hospital with an inoperable brain tumor.  There was no heat, no electric, and no food in the house.

    Well, I got the food part right!

    She went on to tell me that she was standing in the bathroom with a candle lit.  In her hand she had her husband's Police revolver and she was pleading with God, "Please help us or I will have to do something desperate.  I CAN'T LET MY CHILDREN FREEZE OR STARVE TO DEATH!  PLEASE HELP! or I will have to end our lives."  Then, she heard pounding on the door!!!!!!!!

    OH! WAS I GLAD I STAYED AT THAT ADDRESS!

    I told her not to worry, that God had heard her plea for help and everything was going to be Ok.  Then, I pulled my car right up to the front door.  The headlights lit up the entire house.  We packed things for her, the baby, and the other two children; and I took them home ... home, to a warm house with warm food, warm hearts, and "A MIRACLE" none of us will ever forget!

    THANK YOU, GOD!

?© 2004 by Carole Devecka
www.sfpnn.com/carole_devecka.htm
This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact,
for non-profit ministering purposes.

About the Author:

Carole Devecka writes inspirational stories and is a featured author for SFPNN-a positive news network.

Her column, "God Given Daisies", consists of all true stories of everyday miracles and some God Given Daisies.
Some of Carol's stories have appeared in the e-line magazines

Moments of Reflection and Emerging Courageous, and are soon to be published in a book called "The Call Project".