Have you ever driven through a storm? Have you ever found yourself smack dab in the middle of some crazy swirly blizzard where you were clutching the steering wheel so tightly you wondered if your fingers would ever be free again?
Been there.
Done that.
Story of my life.
When your childhood was WAY up north in the outer-coldest-parts of Canada, you can most certainly tell people you know snow. You do winter. You own the cold.
So to tell you about a crazy driving experience I had last winter and admit it was by far the worst winter conditions I have ever experienced, well, ain’t that sayin’ something?
All around me were semi trucks twisted and flipped in the ditches. Straight ahead of me were “lanes” that could have been leading me off a cliff for all I knew. Behind me were faint streams of light that provided little comfort in freeing me from my fears of being rear-ended.
I was white knuckling my steering wheel like never before.
Oh and, did I mention I was driving alone?
Did I mention I had no cell coverage?
Did I mention I was driving a car the size of a jellybean?
I know what you’re thinking, “What was she thinking?” And I’m inclined to agree with you except for one little word:
LIFE.
Haven’t we all found ourselves smack dab in the middle of unexpected life storms?
Haven’t we all felt (self proclaimed) “prepared” for particular conditions, only to be reminded – while in the middle of it – how unequipped we really are?
Haven’t we all felt alone?
Haven’t we all felt out of touch from the help of proper coverage during our toughest times of crisis?
Haven’t we all “white knuckled” our circumstances as way of holding on for dear life as we desperately try to make it through.
This is life.
And yet…
These are the conditions that remind us what we need the most.
These are the conditions that deepen our dependency.
These are the conditions that test our trust.
And these are the conditions that show us where we can find our true source of strength.
Despite low visibility, the most blistery of stormy conditions are where we truly “see” our path in it’s most clearest form if we cling to Him.
We just need to adjust our mirrors, steady our focus, set pace to His rhythm and allow Him to guide the wheel.
He’ll bring us through the storm.
“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” Romans 5:3&4
