Divine Visits. Josie Varga

a major heart attack and was rushed by ambulance to the local hospital.

      Doctors detected a heartbeat, but no brain stem activity which means there is no reaction to a stimulus. As a result, I was given less than a 1 percent chance of survival. I then needed to be transferred to a hospital that specialized in cardiac care. Several hospitals declined to take me because of the lack of brain stem activity, but I was eventually transferred to a hospital in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile a priest was called to give me my last rites. All the while my family and friends prayed feverishly for me, and a steady stream of visitors came to my bedside showing their support.

      Through it all my wife Sandy refused to accept that I might not make it and continued to keep the faith. I was then taken to yet another hospital and another team of heart specialists. This time the doctor informed my wife that they had found brain stem activity. There was hope at this point, and my wife told everyone to keep praying for me.

      Tests revealed that 99 percent of one of my secondary arteries was blocked. Doctors needed to insert a stent which works to open up the artery. I spent several days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). One morning, while still in ICU, I managed to get up out of bed, and I made my way over to the window. My room was on the eighth floor, and I happened to notice a helicopter lifting off in the distance. As I stood there curiously watching the helicopter, the face of a man suddenly appeared in the window.

      Wearing a veil over his head and a beard, he had piercing dark eyes. Both astonished and shocked, I realized that I was looking at the face of Jesus. My whole body felt weak, and my heart began to race like crazy. I was wearing a heart monitor and knew someone would be coming in at any moment to check on me.

      At this point, I looked at him and asked, “Are you here for me?” Jesus gave me a warm smile from the right side of his face and replied, “I am here for you but not in the way that you think. I'm here to let you know I am always with you.” He then disappeared.

      I sat back down on the bed, sweating with my heart still pounding. Mere words cannot describe both the amazement and the gratitude that I felt at that moment. I honestly didn't know what to think. Even though I knew it had happened, I kept questioning myself. I mean why would Jesus come to visit me? Who am I to deserve this?

      Afterwards a priest came to see me, and I told him what had happened. He replied, “What makes you think that it didn't happen?” I realized then that I needed to trust what I knew in my heart. God was with me the whole time. His visit helped me to see firsthand the power of faith and prayer.

      There are still times when I wonder, Why me? My only answer is that God has more work for me to do. I have no doubt that I'm still here because of him. Until we meet again, I will carry on and continue to do his will.

Time Warp

       Claire Gardner

      Virginia

      As I looked through my windshield, the silhouettes played with my eyes. The moon was bright, and there were no street lights as I drove along the back roads to my job in Hemet, California. From my home in Moreno Valley I had two options: I could take the back roads and cut through farmers’ fields which took forty-five minutes or I could take the freeway which would take me over an hour. On this day I opted for the more scenic route. I checked the clock noticing that it was 4:45 a.m. and figured I should arrive in just twenty minutes. In the meantime I was enjoying the early drive with no traffic in sight. For all intention purposes it looked like it was going to be a great day!

      As I round the next curve, I see a barricade in the road and approach cautiously…DETOUR—DETOUR where?

      I've driven this road to work for over a year now. There's a field, not a road unless they call this narrow dirt trail through the cow pasture a road. I wonder how far this will take me out of my way. I try to pick up speed in the sand and something darts in front of me; I brake and just as quickly my car goes into a spin so fast that the scenery becomes just a blur. I have no control of my car!!! My hands are on the wheel, but I am out of control! Strangely, I feel calm. What does this mean? I wonder, God, if you're trying to get my attention. I'm listening.

      The next few seconds seem to happen in slow motion; the scenery remains a blur as I continue the spin; suddenly there's a dull thud, a collision, and I'm aware that I'm rolling over…slowly. My cell phone sails past me, and I release one hand from the wheel to try to catch it. I should call work and let them know I'll be late, I think to myself. I'm in the middle of nowhere, haven't seen a car since turning onto this dirt road. The car has landed on the driver's side. I can't move…I'm still strapped in. I feel strange but in no pain. I'm trying to rationalize what just happened…Where is that cell phone?

      The only escape I can see is through the passenger door which now serves as my roof. As I grope to free myself from the locked safety strap across my chest, bright lights shine in front of me, and I flash my lights for attention and say a quiet “Thank you, God.” A stranger runs over and asks, “Are you all right?” “I'm fine thanks,” I answer. “I just need help climbing out the passenger window and my cell…”

      “I'll get help,” he says and runs off! Great! Where is he going to find help in this field; I just needed to get out of the seat belt. I struggle to climb out; then I hear, “I got another guy.” He's back?!! “We think we can just roll you over; just hang onto the steering wheel and on the count of three we'll lift the car.” Is he kidding? With no time to think I hear, “2—3—Heave,” and then the roll, nearly turning over to the other side but the car settles on all four tires! I'm still holding the steering wheel and am dumbfounded. Before I can gather my thoughts, he opens the car door and tells me to sit still so he can check for injuries. “There's not a thing wrong with me,” I say in total disbelief and get out of the car to prove it to the three of us.

      I ask their names and offer something for their wonderful assistance. Of course, they would not hear of it. “Where were you coming from at this time of the morning?” Daniel asks. I tell him I was on my way to work. They both smile, and Daniel says “You're headed in the wrong direction.” I describe the spinning, and he checks the road for tracks. “Sure looks like someone spun a lot around here,” he agrees. “You are one blessed lady. You came to a stop at the only sand pile around. Guess that's what knocked you over.”

      Gerry comes up and takes both of my hands in his. I'm taken back by the sincere look of concern showing in his eyes. He interrupts my stare. “I have a message for you from God.” Embarrassed, I question, “You do?” He continues, “God wants you to slow down,” he urges, “and to remember he is with you; keep him close in your heart.” What a sweet young man, I think. “Thank you! I know I keep him and the angels mighty busy,” I say awkwardly. Daniel then interrupts, “If you're going to work, we'll make sure you turn your car around alright; there's a nasty accident up ahead, and the cops aren't there yet. I trust they'll be putting up a road block soon so you'd better go before they do.” I agree, and as I turn around, I roll the window down to smile and wave a final thank you…but I don't see them. I check my rear view mirror for truck lights, and it is dark. “WOW! They sure left in a hurry,” I say to myself as I head down the road.

      A few minutes later I turn off the detour trail onto the main road as I pass the accident and just down the road I see the police car approaching. Made it just in time, Daniel was right. Wait a minute! My senses seem to be returning as the reality of the situation set in. Daniel knew about the accident that I just passed. The rig should have been following me. Why did I never see the lights again? How did they know the police would not be there yet? Where, in fact, did they suddenly come from…and the message from God? Was that for real? No, no, no, of course not, my car and I are great; I have no pain whatsoever. Sometimes when I drive, I wander in thought a bit, and before I know it, I wonder how I got there. It is early in the morning; did I take a quick cat nap and have a major dream? WOW! That was surreal!

      Dawn is breaking as I park my car. I pick up my cell phone from the floor, close the door, and check the driver's side as I lock it. It looks good. I'll