I usually wait a week or so to write a new blog, but feel compelled to share this story with you.

Back on October 20th I shared a story of how God protected me and my children one morning. On that morning, I had awoken with a start and when I went to lock the door after my house guest went to work I found it already locked. What I may or may not have mentioned in that blog was I later found out it was that very same morning a man had been trying to open doors to the other homes in our neighborhood. God once again protected us just this past Wednesday morning.

It had been a stressful Tuesday night with my son not wanting to go to bed when the rest of us did. Sometimes that happens. So instead of battling him I let him wander through the house (doors to other rooms are closed and the kitchen gets gated so all he has access to really is the living room and hallway leading to my bedroom) until he gets sleepy which is usually within about 15-20 mins. later. I realized shortly after I laid down to wait for him that I had not gated the kitchen and did so. About 20 mins. later he came into the room, climbed into bed and in no time we were both sleeping.

Wednesday morning (21st) I woke with the alarm and padded into the kitchen to make my coffee. Feeling lazy and not wanting to make a full pot of coffee I put water in a cup for instant (gross I know, but hey...I was feeling lazy). I put the water in the microwave and as I stood there waiting I realized a familar smell. GAS! I turned around and sure enough the knob to the oven was still on the stove and turned to the on position enough to emit gas. I panicked thinking OMG...I have the microwave on and began opening doors to let out the fumes. Somehow in the few mins. before I realized I had not put the gate oup on the kitchen door my son had turn on the gas. You guessed it...it was on ALL NIGHT!

I quickly walked through the house trying to see if i detected any smell of it any where else and was relieved when I did not. The exhaust fan over the oven was not on, there were no windows open, no gaps around the doors or any other way for the fumes to escape. And, the pilots were all still lit...not to mention for the first time in weeks we did not have to run the heater as it had warmed up enough to not need it. I stood there. Amazed. Then, it hit me. I had been protected once again from certain death.

I kept getting told by people who were being given a word from the Lord for me that He has been protecting me because He has something really big in store for me. That morning cinched it for me. I mean when they first told me I was just a little optimistic because I was still new at this being a "real Christian" thing. But as time has passed I have found out for myself that they are not kidding. I have thought back over my life and thought of the many times I could have...should have...maybe died. But I am still standing here with pretty clear lungs (after years of smoking and quit for good almost 4 months ago) and am fairly healthy. Now I am pretty sure those people were not making it up.

So what is this big plan? Why is God protecting me of all people? And if this thing is so big...when is it going to happen? I don't have all the answers to those and many more questions but I can be sure of one thing. He must have a very special plan for me and has been saving me for all these years so that I can carry it out. Whatever it is I am pretty sure I am ready now to accept whatever responsibility He has for me with the confidence that He has saved me for that purpose at that time. He has a special plan for all of us. No matter what your parents or any one else may have told you over the years you are not a mistake. God don't make mistakes. He makes perfect plans for each of our lives and He has made one for you too.

God Bless!

Jeremiah 1:5