[22] 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.

[23] 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.

[24] 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."

[25] There was a pause and a little sigh from the other end. Then Lil-lian murmured, "Thank You, Jesus.

[26] A little electric tingle seemed to run up my spine. "Why do you say that, Lillian?'

[27] "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?"

[28] "Oh, yes, Lillian," I answered, "yes, He did."

[21]我开进了慢车道，紧挨着崖边转过了令人心惊的急弯。我两眼直视前方，一路下坡又下坡。弯道似乎没有尽头，但下山的路上始终有一股浓浓的爱意包围着我，保护着我，指引着我。

[22]总算来到一处落脚休息的地方，我把车停靠了下来。我靠在椅背上，松开双手，看到手指煞白且无法伸直。刚才强烈意识到的那股神力开始隐退，折磨了我几天的恐惧也随之远去，一丝不剩，仿佛我体内的毒液完全排干了。我合上双目，感谢上苍，然后挂挡上路。

[23]第二天早上在洛杉矶，我一觉早早醒来，看钟：早晨六点半，这意味着再有三个小时，即九点半时，我就可以回到佐治亚州的家中了。我在床上躺了一会儿，回顾着头天的情景和自己的发现：上帝伟大的爱可以征服一切。他能主宰我们应付不了的局面，甚至能驱跑令人魂飞魄散的恐惧。

[24]我拿起电话，拨通了萨凡纳市我父母的家。那边是我熟悉而温和的声音。“喂，莉莲。”我告诉她，“我们一路平安到达了加州。”

[25]稍许停了一下，我听到她轻轻舒了口气。接着莉莲低声说道：“感谢上苍!”

[26]一股电流似乎穿过了我的脊柱。“为什么说这个，莉莲?”

[27]“我一定要感谢上帝。昨天我为你祈祷了一整天。我求他与你同行，保佑你安全，把他的手放在你的肩上。他真的做到了，不是吗?”

[28]“是的，莉莲，”我说，“他确实做到了。”<