On a blistering day in August 2004, hazy heat filled the atmosphere, perspiration dotted my forehead and I knew without a doubt that it would be another scorcher. Southern Manitoba is known for hot, humid summers and the day was gearing up to be a repeat of the relentless heat wave we were enduring.
I was a busy mother of three little boys. I was eager to relieve the monotony of the daily struggle of keeping my sons happy and occupied. I knew the perfect fix. My in-laws had a pool in their backyard and my boys loved spending time there.
After a call to my mother-in-law, I packed up some supplies, corralled my children into their swimming suits, secured them into their car seats and drove over to my in-laws. When we arrived, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law were already poolside on their loungers.
The boys were giddy, talkative and super pumped about getting into the water, but they knew the drill. Before jumping into the pool, they knew they’d first be slathered in a layer of sunscreen. As I situated myself on a lounger, I removed a bottle of sunscreen from my bag and my sons lined up before me. I applied lotion on my youngest first, Sam, who was two and a half that summer.
When he was coated, he scooted over while I focused on the next boy, Jonah, my four-year-old. After I finished with him, Seth, my oldest at six years old, stepped forward and I applied his lotion. When he was done, I finally looked up to see where the other two were since the next step was to slide on water wings on the younger ones. They all knew the routine and I expected them to be waiting until I was done with all of them.
To my horror, the first thing I saw was my little two-year-old Sam bobbing just beneath the surface of the water at the bottom of the pool steps. He had clearly just walked right into the pool without realizing he didn’t have his water wings on.
I screamed, “Sam!” Bolting to my feet, I ran down to the pool. I screamed his name a second time as I frantically rushed to reach him. Eternity seemed to stretch between the realization that my baby was beneath the calm waters of the pool until the moment that I finally reached him.
His terrified eyes stared at me from under the surface of the water and his little hands flailed to no effect. I’ll never forget that sight. Grabbing hold of him, I lifted him out and collapsed to the ground with him tightly held in my arms. I have no idea how long he was under the water and I was in such shock that I don’t remember how long it took before he started coughing. The only thing I remember is the overwhelming relief I felt that my baby was still alive.
Processing the event as the boys eventually all entered the water and started swimming, I was amazed how things had played out. I always assumed and expected that a drowning person would be splashing around, yelling and flailing. In reality, the situation was very different. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law were right there beside the spot Sam went into the pool and they didn’t hear or notice a thing. He just slipped right under the water without a sound.
After everything settled down, my boys had a fantastic day of swimming and playing, but I was still pretty shaken up. The feeling of dread of what could have happened didn’t leave immediately and I truthfully had a hard time enjoying the day. The potential drowning incident could have turned out much differently. Losing a son would have ushered the whole family into a brutal season of grief. I would have been plunged into vicious cycles of guilt and regret.
Later, I learned of something that showed me that I was not alone that day, God was close and he was helping.
My mom and dad had retired from farming and had taken on the job of long-distance trucking together. They’d done this for several years. They were on the road, hauling a load, when this scare with Sam took place.
The day after the pool incident, the boys and I were at home, spending a quiet day indoors and out of the heat. My mother called and I answered. After a bit of small talk and asking how we were doing, she asked about Sam. I proceeded to tell her what had happened at the pool the day before.
“What time did this happen?” she asked.
I said, “Around two in the afternoon. Why?”
“At that exact time, at two in the afternoon yesterday, I was napping in the back of the semi-truck cab while dad was driving. I was asleep and I heard you scream Sam’s name. I heard you scream it again. I woke up immediately and started to pray for you and Sam.”
“No way! That’s incredible!”
Our conversation astounded me. I one hundred percent believe it was my mom’s prayers that made me look up at that moment to see Sam in the water. God works in such amazing ways. I have thought of that experience many, many times over the years. Sam is now twenty-three and I am so very thankful for the miracle that happened in his life that day. And I am so grateful for a mother who prayed for me, my husband and children all the time. She was a true prayer warrior and a mother who loved us all. Most of all, I’m grateful for a God who sees, knows and rescues us from harm. He rescued Sam that day and I’m very thankful that I was spared sorrow upon sorrow. Instead of grief, I am left with a testimony of God’s faithfulness.
Submitted by: Laurel Moser
*****
Once we get to Heaven and God shows us a reel of our life, we will discover how many times we were rescued, protected or redirected by supernatural means. What a divine privilege it is that, during our time on earth, God gives us snapshots into the supernatural realm, unusual happenings that announce that Heaven is present and involved in our lives.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
If you would like to share a personal story of supernatural protection or angelic activity in your history, please reach out. Private message me on Facebook messenger or email me and I will explain the details. I would love to share your testimony on my blog as an encouragement to others. As it says in Hebrews 3:13 – Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’.
Also, you are welcome to share this story with your friends and family, or with anyone who needs some encouragement.
