t had been "Personal Ministries Day" at the Covenant Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cedar Rapids, one of two churches I pastored in the cities of Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.* After a Spirit-filled occasion, my family and I began the 85 mile trip back to our home in Davenport. Driving along the interstate, my wife Shurla and I reviewed the day's events, completely exhausted. As dusk began approached I started to fall asleep, joining our kids in their Sabbath afternoon snooze in the back seat.

Suddenly, I was jolted out of my semi-conscious state by Shurla's tense "Oh no!" A state patrol officer was trailing us with his lights flashing. Shurla pulled off the highway and I told her to stay calm-I would handle the situation. The trooper approached Shurla's side of the car, politely introduced himself as "Officer Shane Davis of the Iowa State Patrol," and requested to see her driver's license. He told her that he had clocked her driving 77 miles per hour in a 65 mile-per-hour speed zone. As she reached for her purse I felt strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to keep silent. I wanted to ask the officer if he would simply give us a warning, but chose instead to heed the prompting of the Spirit and remain quiet.

Shurla accompanied Officer Davis back to his car, and I knew a ticket was imminent. The kids, now awake, asked why mommy was leaving with the policeman, and I quickly reassured them that the officer was simply helping us. As I waited for her return, I sat frustrated, wondering if I should have said something after all. After a few minutes, I looked out of my side-view mirror and saw Shurla and Officer Davis walking back toward the van. For a split second I thought, Thank you, Lord. You worked in our behalf after all, for I thought that Shurla was coming to tell me that he'd given us a warning instead.

My exuberance quickly dissolved when she approached my window and I saw the ticket in her hand. Strangely, Shurla seemed excited. "Marlon," she began, "This is Officer Shane Davis. He says that he's been watching Pastor Doug Batchelor of Amazing Facts and feels convicted about the Sabbath. He wants to talk to you!" With that, Officer Davis stepped forward and introduced himself. Impressed with how courteous and conscientious he seemed, I shook his hand reassuringly.

He told me he was attending a non-denominational church in Davenport but was growing dissatisfied as a result of his newfound convictions. He went on to say that his pastor had rebuffed him about the subject and this concerned him even further. He spoke affectionately about his pastor, nonetheless, and asked if I knew him. I responded with a "Yes." Davis then asked if he could come and visit my church. I gave him my phone number and reassured him he could call me whenever he wanted, and of course he could visit our church.

As we drove home, Shurla and I were astonished at what had taken place. We wondered if Officer Davis would ever call. When he phoned our home the following Friday afternoon, requesting if he could visit with us that evening, we felt knew God had done something special. Shane was an immediate hit with our kids, Marlon Jr. and Reba, and as the five of us welcomed the arrival of the Sabbath that wintry February evening, we all rejoiced over God's marvelous providence in bringing us together. We have since formed a good friendship, and our kids may never look at a police officer the same again!

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*Since the time of this writing, Pastor and Mrs. Perkins have begun serving the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in Des Moines, Iowa.