Encouragement

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Marta And The Night Visitor
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Marta Woodson’s grocery bags wee heavy as she removed each from her small car. Despite the blowing snow and ice mixture she still had four more very heavy sacks to go with increasing bad weather to come according to every weather oriented broadcast. Suddenly, out of the miserable conditions, looking like he had just stepped out of a Sir Conan Doyle novel, a man approached the weary teen. Marta grew apprehensive and fearful.

“Good evening! May I help you, young lady with carrying your groceries to your door?” he asked.

“Ah, no, thank you, sir. I’ll be okay.”

“I don’t mind. You look so tired and the weather is getting worse.”

“Oh, no! I’m certain I’ll be just fine! But thank you once again!”

With an angelic smile, he put his gloved right hand to the bill of hat. “Then I’ll head on home and get out of this storm. Have a blessed evening and stay safe, Miss Marta!”

The very next day, in a different part of Oklahoma City, Marta was holding a heavy bag of newly purchased clothes while waiting for a city bus to take her home. She was unable to drive as repairs were being made to her car. Suddenly, out of the mist, the same stranger she met the day before appeared.

“Hello, young lady! Can I help you on this blest evening?”

Marta shook her head indicating she needed no help.

Without further pressure, he sat on the bench at a distance from her. Her fear increased. Not a single bus for nearly two hours. Marta prayed: “Lord, please let a bus come and pick me up. I’m so afraid. Please, Lord!”

In answer to her prayer, he fear vanished. And although Marta was not one who would agree that people actually hear the voice of God—she heard: “Marta! My child! He is being sent to help you not to do you harm. Fear not! I am with you! I am in control!”

The man, who looked to be of African-American heritage stood by. Marta talked a little about the upcoming Christmas season, but it was mostly quiet, a period of calm such as Marta had never experienced in her young life. Finally, “Marta had never experienced in her young life. Finally, “Marta a bus will be here in ten minutes,” and he got up, walked twelve steps, then vanished in the cold of an Oklahoma City winter night.

Within minutes after the man left, a bus came through the swirls of snow and wind.

“The running of city buses have been suspended due to the weather,” hollered the driver. “I’m here to pick anybody up along this route and drop them off along the route. Hop on! It’s not safe to be out here at this time with a very bad storm bearing down on the Oklahoma City area. They said there will be freezing rain, hail and ice that they think will damage a lot of things! Hurry, hurry, get in!”

When Marta told this story, most believed she was dreaming it up. Others believe the teen met an angel. In her own mind, whoever the person, she knew for certain he was of God sent to help and protect her. For she never saw him again or anyone resembling him.

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