I remarried soon after my husband of 20 years left us. Our blended family had 8 children between the ages of 12 & 18. We had many unresolved problems and didn’t have enough money to buy gasoline to drive cars to work. So, at age 40, I learned to ride a motorcycle.

When everyone was home our driveway and yard were filled with an assortment of old cars, a truck and 3 motorcycles.

My son joined the army, and while stationed in Europe he achieved 2 years of college credits, through study and testing. He also played golf, winning so many tournaments that the army sent him to Maryland to play on the army team, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard international golf tournament, at Ft. Meade.

I was so proud of my son I just had to go see him. But our budget demanded that we take the little red Suzuki 450 from central Florida to Maryland, pack our own food, and camp along the way.

Before we left, we asked our church friends to pray for us. I knew that 2 women on a small motorcycle would need the protection of God to make a trip like that. (I had never been on a motorcycle on the Interstate highways or in a large city).

To the natural mind, that kind of a trip was foolish. But I wanted to support my son and show him how much I loved him, while depending on God to provide the protection needed.

So, with His help, my daughter and I enjoyed a trip we can talk about for the rest of our lives.

But I didn’t know how dangerous that motorcycle trip would be!

Before we had left the driveway, the bike fell over under of the load of tents and camping equipment tied to it.

When we stopped to eat, after we crossed the Georgia state line, my tuna sandwich seemed fizzy. Gasoline had soaked our food when the motorcycle fell. Later a thunderstorm soaked us!

My daughter and I still had fun camping. But on the beltway around Washington D.C. in rush hour traffic, our rear tire blew out.

I screamed, “Mary, stop wiggling!”

Then, realizing what happened, I changed my scream to: “Mary, when I say so, put your feet down same time that I do!”

Somehow, we safely made it to the grass. Help came, the bike was repaired, and we got to my son’s army base; but, unknown to me, the mechanic had forgotten to replace the cotter pin!

After enjoying a wonderful reunion with my son, we headed home.

On a narrow bridge to Virginia, the rear brake rod fractured because of the missing pin. First the brake locked, causing a 55 miles per hour skid. Then the brake rod snapped in two. The rod was dragging on the concrete, making a terrible noise.

Using only the front brake would be dangerous at that speed. I quickly learned to downshift and brought the bike safely across the bridge. I got out my tools and removed the broken pieces. We rode. carefully, as I only had the front brake, to a rest stop to get help.

By now my whole priority system had changed. I told God that I wouldn’t complain about anything. I just wanted to get home alive.

I believe we made it through the crises safely because of the prayers for us. There probably were many angels around, protecting us too.

The accidents and obvious supernatural protection also showed my daughter that there is a God and He was the reason we survived.

So, whenever God nudges you to pray for anyone, for their safety, their health, their relationships, or their finances, don’t put it off. God hears all our prayers and you may even see the results (the fruit) of your prayers.

God IS Love, so, think about it:                                                                                                       You are showing how much you care by                                                                                 “hugging them with your prayers”.