i moved into the slow lane, next to the dreaded edge, and swept around the terrifying curve. i kept my eyes riveted on the road directly ahead. down and down i went. the curve seemed like it would never end. but all the way down the mountain i felt love encircling me, keeping me safe from my fear and guiding me. 

finally i came to a rest area and pulled in. i sagged back in the seat. i unclenched my hands and looked at my fingers, white and bent. the presence i felt so strongly inside the car began to fade, and with it went the last residue of the fear that had gripped me these past several days. it drained from me like a poison. i closed my eyes and said a prayer of thanks before putting the car in gear and returning to the highway. 

i awoke early the next morning in los angeles and glanced at the clock: 6:30, which meant 9:30 back home in georgia. i lay there for a time, thinking about the day before and what i’d discovered that god’s perfect love can conquer any situation. he can control things that are beyond our control, even the most crippling fear. 

i picked up the phone and dialed my parents’ home in savannah. a soft, familiar voice answered. "hi, lillian," i said. "we made it to california all right." 

there was a pause and a little sigh from the other end. then lil-lian murmured, "thank you, jesus. 

a little electric tingle seemed to run up my spine. "why do you say that, lillian?’ 

"i have to thank him. i prayed all day for you yesterday. i asked him to ride with you and keep you safe, to put his hand on your shoulder. he did, didn’t he?" 

"oh, yes, lillian," i answered, "yes, he did."