Mama's Encounter - The Christian Online Magazine

As a young child, I loved to sing for I had discovered the power of song. During my elementary years, I found that the songs I sang affected how I felt. For me, they were mood setters. A joyful song made me feel carefree, and I faced the day with a smile; but after singing or just hearing a sad song, I was disheartened and grumpy throughout the day. The mood was extracted from the song I sang, and infused into my spirit; then, I behaved accordingly.

Ephesians 5:19 (NIV) tells us to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs and to sing and make music in our hearts to the Lord--always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Songs that deny the hope that we have in the Lord Jesus tend to work against us, whereas songs of God's incredible blessings that are continually bestowed upon us edify giving us grace. Therefore, the songs that we choose to sing or listen to should not be taken lightly.

I grew up in a Christian home where the songs we sang and listened to were monitored by our parents. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) states: Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. This includes any and all words that are put to music.

During my childhood, some harmful songs slipped through the cracks because they had snazzy tunes or a captivating beat, and I accepted them into my heart. Regrettably, I surrendered rather than standing my ground. First Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)tells us: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. This scripture reminds me that we must consider the possible consequences prior to making choices; then take responsibility for our actions rather than pretending to have been helpless in times of temptation.

One optimistic song that I sang was about the angels watching over me all day and all night. This song was not only beautiful but helped me center on the security and peace that is given to those who love the Lord. Psalm 91:14-15 (NIV) states: "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him. I will protect him for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him." I was unaware, however, that in times of trouble the Lord actually sends angels to guard us. I had not realized this--until the day I received the phone call from Mama.

"I'm doing just fine!" she told me, "and I didn't even get one scratch on my body; the car was totaled, but it's being replaced!"

Back then, all I could say was, "Praise God!" because I knew that the Lord had surely performed a miracle for Mama.

My children and I had left East Africa and were living in the Caribbean. More than ten years had passed since the Lord paved the way for us to start a new life. We were now settled in our own home and visited my parents in the U.S. whenever we could.

My parents married young; Mama was sixteen and Daddy twenty-one. They had spent most of their lives raising us. We were ten in all, eight daughters and two sons. Daddy worked very hard and supported us well. Most importantly, he introduced me to the idea of having a personal relationship with the Lord.

While raising children, my parents needed a large vehicle to transport the family. Through the week, we had various after-school activities. At a neighborhood Presbyterian community center, my social activities ranged from scouting to dance lessons. Each summer, I also attended their camp on the lake. On Sundays, the family went to church together. Afterwards, there was a fantastic meal, the preparation of which often began on Saturday. Members of our church family sometimes partook of this meal with us.

On a lovely day, Mama and Daddy would pack our dinner into a huge picnic basket; not forgetting the ice cream churn and the jug of punch--off we'd go to a park or to the lake. Then, we'd spend the remainder of the day enjoying one another's company. As we grew older, there were fewer family outings and my parents started dating again; we children stayed at home on those evenings.

When the days of child rearing had passed, Mama and Daddy decided that they only needed one car. After selling the truck and trading in their large car, they purchased a compact vehicle. But, Daddy was uncomfortable with the transition, and before long, he had traded-in the new car for another large one. This worked out because there was often someone who needed a ride to church, and they had plenty of room for passengers.

Sharing a car worked out fine for my parents for most of their activities were church related, and they participated together--except on Sunday afternoons. Then, Mama visited the sick at various hospitals only taking along one of her grandsons who prayed for the sick and ministered the Gospel; although yet a chld, the Lord was using him mightily in ministry.

Years later, Daddy went to be with the Lord, and Mama was gracefully adjusting to new responsibilities. There was one thing that she had been considering doing for quite a while, and the time had finally come for her to take action; so, she traded in the family car for a compact model. She could now save on rising gas prices and drive a car that was easier to maneuver. If Daddy had still been there, his mechanical skills would have proven useful during the road test; however, the car carried a warranty, and if there were problems, the matter would be resolved.

A day or so after the purchase, Mama got up early and set out to run a few errands. As she entered the vehicle, all was well--the engine started right up and sounded terrific. In a matter of minutes, she was on her way--And I believe that the Lord had already dispatched angels before my Mama to literally lift her up in their hands!

Neighbors were looking for my sister so they could report the horrific news! When they finally found her, she immediately rushed to the scene. At the west corner of the street stood a brick building, a bank. There, a curious crowd was gathering to find out exactly what had happened. They did not recognize the car and were eager to know who the victims were and the degree of injuries suffered. Although neighbors gave my sister all of the available details, there was definitely more to the story, and the turn of events was astonishing!

That morning, as Mama reached the end of our street, the brakes on her new car had failed. Instead of continuing toward the intersection, she swerved and crashed into the side of the bank. The building suffered little damage as only a few bricks were displaced. However, the driver's side of Mama's new car no longer existed. That was the side of the car that Mama had been on, and there had been no passengers. An ambulance was on the way!

Psalm 91:9-12 and Luke 4:10 (NIV) remind us that--If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the Lord, who is my refuge--then no harm will befall you. No disaster will come near your tent for He will command His angels concerning you, to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

My mother loves the Lord, and He is the center of her life. That day, the Lord had commanded His angels concerning Mama, and they had done a magnificent job guarding her. She had been removed from danger and gently placed in a safe spot before the driver's side of the car struck the wall and was demolished.

Neighbors were declaring that a miracle had taken place My otherwise quiet sister was dancing jubilantly up and down the street praising God as my mother sat cozily on the passenger's side of the car. Her shoes had been removed from her feet, and the eyeglasses she had been wearing were folded and placed in one of her shoes for safekeeping. As for her condition, she was a bit dazed, but otherwise as good as new.

When asked how she got from the driver's side to the passenger's side of the car, Mama was unable to explain, but the part of the scripture that says they will lift you up in their hands so that you will not strike your foot against a stone explains it all.

Many years have passed, and throughout the decades of my life, I have often been in harm's way. At such times, I believe that there were angels on earth whom the Lord commanded concerning me for Psalm 34:7 (NIV) tells us: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And He delivers them. As the song goes: All night, all day, angels watching over me! (Public Domain)