THUNDERSTORM CAUSES ACCIDENT

The thunderstorm was what caused it!

I was driving alone late at night on an interstate. I noticed lightning ahead. I gave it little thought, except to wonder if I would have to drive into a storm. But, thankfully, the storm was moving fast and was soon gone before I could reach it, but the highway was wet so I slowed the car.

Suddenly, I felt the car hit deep water on the highway. My tires were shooting water everywhere, even covering my windshield. Worse, the deep water was causing my tires to lose traction.

The words, “Help me, Lord,” were on my lips as I realized a feeling of total helplessness. I knew I had absolutely no control of the car. I tried desperately to keep the car moving straight ahead, but it was sliding and weaving all over the highway. I pumped the brakes, slowing the car even more, but I was not able to stop it.

In a moment of panic, I saw that my car was going off the highway. With the car almost, but not quite, stopped, I went off into a water filled ditch. The car finally stopped with only the front of the car in the water. Immediately water began seeping in, quickly covering my legs. As I got out of the car and waded out of the water, another motorist came and helped me get to a telephone to call a wrecker.

Looking back, my main impression of the incident was a feeling of helplessness. I like to be in control—as we all do—but there was no control that night!

Life is often like my experience on the flooded highway. Things happen to us unexpectedly and suddenly. Darkness hides our future, and we are unable to see the water on our pathway. Unforeseen circumstances may cause us to lose control of our lives.

What can we do? God speaks to us about this in Proverbs 3:5-6; "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

REFUGE

I remember how secure I felt when I was in the care of my parents. I had no worries, no needs, and no fears.

So it was somewhat of a shock as I grew older, and realized for the first time that Mother and Daddy were human, and therefore vulnerable to life and death, as were all others around us. I can remember lying in bed at night, worrying about what fate would be mine should anything happen to my parents. Such are the frailties of human existence.

But our relationship with God is different. God is not subject to our human frailties. He never ceases to exist. He is always there to offer shelter, to sustain us in our weakness, and to help us in times of need by His very presence.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 (KJV)

A NEW YEAR

I had watched as my sisters and brother went off to school every day, and I could hardly wait for my turn. On my first day of school, my sisters and I started out to meet the school bus. But suddenly I was afraid. I told my sisters I had decided to stay home. They argued and pled, but I was not going.

Finally, they had to go on or miss the bus, so they sent me back home to Mother, who was totally surprised to see me. Then Daddy came in from the ranch and—after the spanking—drove me to school.

A new era can be exciting and it can be frightening. That’s true today, as we start an uncharted, untried year. What will 2008 bring? We don’t know, but with God, all is well.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

FEAR OF THE DARK

As a teenager, I worked for a short time as a dishwasher in a small café. It was summer and I was staying with my sister and her family. My shift ended at ten P.M. Usually my sister would drive me home.

Sometimes she was unable to come for me and I would walk home. The darkness did not bother me. But as I neared her home, I would begin to be afraid. The closer I got, the more apprehension I felt, until I would be literally running to the door.

This fear I felt as a teenager reminds me of how we sometimes feel as we face the struggles of life. There are times when our fears overwhelm us. That’s when we must run to safety—the safety of God’s protection.

It’s good to realize He is with us, always.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 (KJV)