Lessons Learned~A Voice of Protection

 When I was about eight years old, I went on an errand with my mom to the store.  I was in the backseat of our four door sedan and we didn't have seatbelts or child door locks in the car which was typical for those days. As an eager child that I was, whenever we would go somewhere in the car, I would jump out as soon as it stopped at our destination. This would upset my mom. It was very unsafe and my mother use to always tell me to wait for her to turn off the engine of the car and listen for her instructions on what to do next but I hardly ever waited. It was way too tempting to just get out quickly. 

This errand of my mom's on this particular day was at a store on a highway. So my mother had to park on the open road which was where the traffic would drive by the vehicles that were parked on the side of the road.  As my mom maneuvered the car to parallel park, it seemed like I was having to wait forever before I could get out of the car. As she finally stopped the car (engine still running) I grabbed the door handle and turned it to get out. Then for a split second, before my mom could say anything, I had a distinct impression to stop what I was doing. Almost as if it was a "still small voice" telling me not to open the door. As soon as I felt that impression and stopped moving the door handle, a tractor trailer truck came speeding close besides us. I could feel the rushing air of the truck as it went by. It was scary. I was so relieved I hadn't opened the car door. It was obvious that I escaped a terrible accident. 

After the truck had cleared by us,  my mother was aware that I had suddenly stopped opening the car door and she asked me what made me decide not to get out of the car. I told her about my impressions and feelings.   In some peculiar way, something had warned me. She knew what it was instantly. She explained to me about the Holy Ghost. She said that the Holy Ghost is always with us and that it is a gift from Heavenly Father that will warn us when danger is near.  She told me to alway listen and be aware of the Holy Ghost and it would protect me from harm.  I know what she said was true. I knew that those impressions were real and divine in nature. I knew from that experience that God was real and that he knows me and is near me.

Through a still small voice, The Spirit speaks to me

To guide me, to save me, from the evil I may see.

If I try to do what's right, He will lead me thru the night,

Direct me, protect me, and give my soul His light.

Listen, listen, the Holy Ghost will whisper.

Listen, listen to the still small voice. ~Merrill Bradshaw