Karen Kingsbury - Miracles: A 52-Week Devotional

Scripture Reading:

P SALM 124

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 TIMOTHY 2:22

F OR THE FIRST TIME EVER, Mia Parsons and her friend Tanya Andrews were going to celebrate New Years Eve with a hundred thousand people at the all-night party preceding the Tournament of Roses Parade in downtown Pasadena, California. Excitement didnt come close to describing the way the two seventeen-year-olds felt.

The girls had joined a group of a dozen friends who were part of their local Young Life club. Theyd have plenty of fun without drinking, but Mia was a bit concerned about Tanya. The girl was a new friend and had just started attending Young Life. Mia wasnt completely sure of how crazy Tanya might get.

As darkness settled and people walked the parade route, the Young Life group laughed and danced to street music. One small man walked past them, then turned, set his eyes on Mia, slowly approached, and handed her a yellow sticker that read: Jesus loves you.

Thanks, Mia said. He loves you, too.

The man nodded and smiled, then walked away.

That was strange, Mia said to Tanya.

Tanya shrugged. Its New Years Eve. You never know who youll meet. Lets enjoy the night.

As the night progressed, cars cruised the boulevard bumper-to-bumper, barely moving as the riders waved at the people. A pickup truck with two good-looking young men pulled up in front of the two girls.

Wanna ride? one of them called out.

Right! Mia shouted over the noise that filled the street. Like wed take a ride from strangers.

Oh, come on. Were just circling the parade route. Climb in the back and well take you around once.

Mia and Tanya exchanged a knowing glance. At that instant, Steve Simons from their Young Life group stepped in. Whats going on? Do you know him?

Tanya stepped forward. Yes. From school. She shot a desperate look at Mia.

Mia eyed the handsome boys. What harm could come if she and Tanya rode once around the parade route? Traffic was so slow, they could always jump off. Sure, she replied. We met them last year.

Steve stepped back. As long as you know them.

Mia grabbed Tanyas hand and the two girls situated themselves against the rear of the cab and waved at the hundreds of people along the parade route. Mia felt wonderful with the wind in her hair, celebrating the New Year in style. So what if theyd told a small lie.

But after thirty minutes of extreme fun, Mia noticed the crowd was thinning and the parade markers were gone. Then she looked in the cab and saw that the boys were laughing hard and drinking, and empty beer cans were on the floor of the vehicle.

Just then the truck came to a stop at an intersection. Were leaving Pasadena! She gripped Tanyas arm. The guys are leaving with us!

Suddenly, above the noise to the trucks radio, Mia heard a voice say, Get out! Theyre taking you to the beach to rape you.

Panic filled her heart. She had no time to wonder who had spoken the warning as she glanced ahead and saw that they were about to enter the westbound Ventura Freeway that eventually led to the beach.

Quick! she shouted at Tanya. Were in trouble! Get out! But Tanya didnt move to jump.

Suddenly the driver sped up and barreled toward the freeway ramp. In a split-second decision Mia decided shed rather die on the roadway than be raped. God, help me please! Then she stood up and jumped.

Mia felt herself sailing through the air and thought she would surely die. Then there was nothing but silence. Cars from all directions came to a screeching halt as her body slammed onto the pavement and slid into the middle of the intersection. None hit her.

A motorcycle policeman saw it happen, called for help, and was instantly at her side. He knew she must have serious injuries. Dont move, he said, taking her pulse.

Mia couldnt make sense of what was happening as others rushed in to try to help. Nothing hurt. Instead, there was a great sense of urgency. My friend in the truck! Theyre going to rape her!

The officer looked up and saw the truck entering the freeway. Immediately he climbed back onto his motorcycle, flipped on his red lights, and in a few seconds pulled the truck over.