Amy Newmark - 101 Stories of Hope and Faith: Miracles and Divine Intervention

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles & Divine Intervention

101 Stories of Faith and Hope

Amy Newmark

Published by Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC www.chickensoup.com

Copyright 2021 by Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

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The publisher gratefully acknowledges the many publishers and individuals who granted Chicken Soup for the Soul permission to reprint the cited material.

Front and back cover photo of gothic arches courtesy of iStockphoto.com/jacquesvandinteren (jacquesvandinteren), photo of woman courtesy of iStockphoto.com/kieferpix (kieferpix)

Back cover and interior photo of dove courtesy of iStockphoto.com/kieferpix (kieferpix)

Photo of Amy Newmark courtesy of Susan Morrow at SwickPix

Cover and Interior by Daniel Zaccari

Distributed to the booktrade by Simon & Schuster. SAN: 200-2442

Publishers Cataloging-In-Publication Data

(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Names: Newmark, Amy, compiler.

Title: Chicken soup for the soul : miracles & divine intervention : 101 stories of faith and hope / [compiled by] Amy Newmark.

Other Titles: Miracles & divine intervention : 101 stories of faith and hope | Miracles and divine intervention : 101 stories of faith and hope

Description: [Cos Cob, Connecticut] : Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, [2021] Identifiers: ISBN 9781611590739 | ISBN 9781611593136 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Miracles--Literary collections. | Miracles--Anecdotes. | Providence and government of God--Literary collections. | Providence and government of God--Anecdotes. | Faith--Literary collections. | Faith--Anecdotes. | LCGFT: Anecdotes.

Classification: LCC BL487 .C45 2021 (print) | LCC BL487 (ebook) | DDC 202.117/02--dc23

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020947975

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Heaven-Sent

Mr. Gaines to the Rescue

You should never feel alone. Theres always someone to turn to. It is the guardian angel who is watching over you.

~K. Sue

M y husband Joe had been sent to Iran for a tour of duty. He would be getting out of the Army before Christmas, but he was still a soldier now, and he had to go.

Come to Kansas, my sister Alice urged when I told her. Load up the kids; we have plenty of room in the house, and theyll love it here.

Relief washed over me as she spoke. I hadnt realized how badly I had wished for the invitation. Two-year-old Anthony was a handful, and the baby was teething and fussy most of the day. With Joes departure, I had to handle everything alone.

The trip from our home in Missouri to Kansas would take us approximately seven and a half hours. We had made it almost to the Kansas state line when I pulled into a rest stop to change and feed the kids, and let Anthony run around a bit. He was tired of being strapped in his car seat and he was fussing almost as much as the baby. While Anthony munched on his apple slices and raisins, and the baby pulled hungrily on her bottle, I called to let Alice know that I had finally reached Kansas. Nobody picked up the phone, and when the answering machine came on, instead of the customary greeting, Alice had recorded a message for me. Her mother-in-law had suffered a heart attack in another city, and she and her husband were rushing to be with her. However, she assured me, she would be home before I arrived the next day. It was getting late, and I was weary of driving. I would check into a motel and rest before undertaking the last leg of my journey.

The next morning as I checked out of the motel, the young man behind the counter gave me his well-practiced, polite smile. Be careful, miss. One of our famous Kansas summer storms is brewing. I hope you dont have far to go.

As I loaded the kids, I calculated how long it would take me to reach Alices place. With feedings and changings, it would probably not be before noon. I used the payphone in the lobby and dialed her number, but I reached the answering machine again and heard the same message. I wasnt concerned because I still had a few hours to drive and I figured she was probably on her way home.

The longer I drove the darker the sky became, and the strong winds began to buffet my small car. I gripped the steering wheel as I fought to keep the car in my lane. The rain began to stream down in torrents and lightning lit up the sky. The thunder was so loud that it even made me jump, and soon the kids were howling right along with the wind. I kept peering through the windshield, hoping to spot a payphone somewhere. If I could reach Alice, I could let her know that the storm had slowed us down but I should arrive at her house within an hour. I finally spotted one outside a small two-pump service station. I got soaking wet only to reach the answering machine yet again. But according to the radio, storms had sprung up throughout the state. Alice and her husband were probably delayed by the storms too. Hopefully, they would be home when we arrived.

By the time I reached Alices house, all three of us were exhausted and hungry. The baby had cried herself to sleep after taking her last bottle, and Anthony was giving me his best pout. I was so weary that I hadnt noticed how dark the house was. My heart sank. Nobody was home. I couldnt get into the house, and the kids needed to be changed, fed and comforted. It had been a hard trip.

I looked at Anthony, who seemed to be too weary to even cry anymore. Honey, Im going to look for a key. Its okay. Soon you can get out of your car seat and run all you want to. And Im sure that Aunt Alice left us lots of good food to eat.

I checked under the doormat, the flowerpots, and above the door, anywhere that someone might hide a key. I was near tears myself. Suddenly, I heard a sound like someone softly clearing his throat. An older gentleman in a heavy parka and boots was crossing the yard next door and coming toward me. I was taken aback by the way he was dressed in the summer, but I was glad to see anyone at this point.

Im Alices sister, I said as he drew near. She must have forgotten to leave a key for me. I glanced at my car. My kids are tired and hungry. I shrugged helplessly. What could this stranger do for me?

He gave me a kind, understanding smile. Ive had a key to Alices house for years. I keep an eye on things when they are gone. He stuck out his hand. Im Mr. Gaines. He added with a big grin, To the rescue.