Psalm 68:20 says that escape from death belongs to the Lord. I can think of two pretty amazing escapes my family has experienced. The first story took place when we were on our way home from vacation. We were on the Number One highway and it was time to stop for lunch. We were driving our brand new Toyota, a gift from God. We never had problems with this vehicle.

After lunch, we got in the car, but it would not start. Bill checked all the obvious things and nothing seemed out of order. So, he got in the car and we prayed with our two small children joining us. Then the car started. We were mystified. 

We headed back onto the highway and drove for no more than ten minutes, when right before us was a massive accident. There were vehicle's and bodies thrown all over the highway and shoulder of the road. We could see an eighteen wheeler on its side - carnage from the wreck was everywhere. 

Clearly, this had just happened. We thought to ourselves, if our car had not started, we would have been one of those vehicles in the accident. 

The second story took place years later. Our daughter came home from college. When she was home, the rest of us left the house early that morning while Lisa was fast asleep upstairs. She was exhausted as most college students are after a semester of classes.

The night before, we hosted a bunch of people - it was the Christmas season. We had candles every where, becuase Bill has a bit of an obsession with them. 

That morning Bill's mom phoned and kept calling until she finally got an answer. Mom never did that. She always called and left a voice message. She called so many times that eventually she woke up Lisa who then went downstairs because she smelled smoke. 

On top of the piano was a candle that was burning. Its wax had spread all along the top surface. The flames were a foot high. Lisa quickly smothered the flames putting out the fire. Lisa's bed is exactly above the piano on the floor above. What would have happened had her grandmother not kept calling?

I asked my mother-in-law the next time I saw her why she felt compelled to keep calling. She said, "God told me to keep calling until I got an answer. I didn't even have anything important to say." 

God sees what is around the corner in our lives. He watches over us. Does this mean nothing bad will ever happen? No, it does not mean that. Suffering and loss is part of the journey of life just like the escapes from death. He is on every path we must walk giving wisdom and comfort to all who ask. 

The word of God tells us that if we seek Him we will find Him if we search with all of our heart. It is a wonderful season to seek that One born in a manger. He has changed my life and continues to do so every single day.