On January 22, I embarked on a 25-minute
journey back home after leaving work. It was about 5 p.m. in the evening. It
was a snowy afternoon but one with a difference. The white powdery textured ice
rained from the skies and blanketed everything in creation and tragically the
roadways. As I delve into the story, you will understand the reason behind my
seemingly melodrama.
I drive a 2015 Ford Fusion
which is known by many to mean FORD (found on road dead). I have encountered
these test of my life flashing before mine eyes a few times in the past.
However, I am here writing this, so clearly I am very much alive and well. Past
performance does not guarantee future results, that is what I have heard. But
this statement is untrue when you trust in the one that created you. Old
faithful, my white Ford, fully loaded, cuts and bruises, 10 years old, did the
greatest performance a girl could ever experience.
I get in to my car and stated
driving the route I usually take to get home. I soon realized it was impossible
as I pulled up to the stop light that was green. I could not turn left for
there were so many cars bleeding into the intersection. I decided to turn right
and experienced a free flow of traffic heading in the opposite direction. Then,
that feeling of glee would soon change to distress as I made my left turn onto
a two lane icy road, jammed packed with cars. What I did not foresee was what
usually is a ten-minute journey to the 10 (a name for a local road) would soon
turning into my first of four hours’ journey home.
I became anxious as I a drove
on what could now be described as an ice rink. I had no experience driving on
ice and my 'old faithful' was only front wheel drive. As my journey continued I
was given two very pertinent and vital information to continue this treacherous
journey through an 'Icy Trial.' My desire was to make it home to my children.
The first instruction was that as I went downhill on the ice, I am to engage
the brakes to take me down very slowly. Secondly, as I went up icy hills, I am
to accelerate to a controllable speed and not stop.
Many times, things are easier
said than done and this information didn't seem so nifty at first until I
applied it. To give you some perspective of my terrain it is important that I
share with you my geographical location. I live in Georgia and I am commuting
from Stone Mountain. This suburb is quaint with high hills and low valleys.
Based on the description I have given; it does not serve well when the roads
are icy. An inch of snow can shut our city down for days.
Now that you have perspective, let’s
go back to my journey. Cars were slipping and sliding, some just stalled for
their own reason. The drive was slow and continuous, but I was adamant that I
needed to make it home. I didn't want to be stuck on the road all night, I
had no emergency food, and a need to use a rest room.
I came to my very first hill and
had to apply the instructions I was given by my guardian angel. I saw many others
tried and failed. Their vehicles would not carry them up the hill. Now, I was nervous
but had to use the wisdom given and apply it. I waited for clearance. No one in
my path I gassed it and never stopped. As I looked back in my rearview mirror, I
was grateful. I was proud of myself for making it as far as I did. Pounce de Leon,
Mountain Industrial becoming Hairston Road, I was defeating the odds. I prayed
that the cars that tailed me wouldn’t slide into me, because I’d be stuck for
sure. I only had a half tank of gas, no food, or blankets for warmth.
Redan Road, here I would be told
to turn back. I thought, after what I went through to get to where I was,
turning back was not an option. What was I going to turn back to? At this point
the goal was to keep my car moving in a straight line so that my back wheels
don’t cause me to slide into a ditch.
Continuous forward progress was my mission and turning back would mean to
give up on my goal of making it home.
I had to make decisions to go
around cars that were stalled not knowing what lies ahead. I finally made it to
Panola Road. I crossed the intersection and after review my GPS, the road was
red. This meant heavy traffic and I didn’t know how long it would take to clear
up. This would be my first detour I encountered. I turned around and drove down
Panola Road. I quickly came to a hill where cars were stalled. I was little
more experienced with hills at the time and decided to go around the stalled
cars and applied my gas a made it up the hill. Disaster averted!
I am going to fast forward a bit as
Covington Highway was a breeze because of the slushiness of the highway
provided for ease of travel. I get to the road where my home is located.
However, I passed the overcrowded gas station that was going to be home for
many for that night. It was about eight thirty now and I am stalled on a hill.
Cars strewn at the sides of the road because of the slick ice on roads. This
was hazardous to many who attempted the downhill slide into ditches on the sides
of the road.
I was almost home and could not
turn back. I gave thought to that option. I reasoned. There were peopled on the
sidelines that told me not to attempt going down the sleek, icy hill. It was indeed
a dangerous task. I could possibly slide
and hit cars. I contemplated walking. I attempted to get out my car but my foot
was sliding. I knew then that walking was not an option. All reasons pushed
aside, I would attempt the hill when grown men told me not to do. “That ice is
very sleek on the hill, you should reverse and park behind me. I live right
down the hill and I couldn’t make it. I am just going to park here for the
night.” The raucous of noise in my ear caused my left leg to shake uncontrollably,
as my right foot clutched the brake tightly. I was hyperventilating and tried
to slow my breathing.
I would endeavor to keep going. I
shut out the noise, and the words that tried to deter me and I took the hill.
Silent and slow breaths, I gripped my brake and began to slide slowly. At a moment’s
notice the back the car begins to tilt. “Take your foot off that break and let
the car slide,” someone shouted. I concentrated on the instructions, trusted my
instinct. I mean by this time I has conquered many other hills. When I felt
like I was losing control I grip my brakes a little tighter. Half way there as I
eased slowly down, defeating the hill. I made it. This time I did not look into
my rearview mirror, because there was nothing left but to make it home and I
did. As I turned on the blanket of snow in my driveway, I felt the stress and
tension that surged through my body. Despite the feeling of tiredness, I felt
sweet victory, accomplished, and like I had overcome the biggest obstacles ever
experienced.
There are a few lessons that I learned
after having an experience like this. I take this time in final words to share
with you here.
Lesson One: Focus on your Destination
Everyone has a different path.
The course you’ll take is unknown. The goal is to endure the journey no matter
how long it takes. Sometimes you have to take the risks regardless of the
unknown. When you step out from the crowds of stallers, procrastinators, onlookers,
and discouragers you will soon realize that your goals will soon become
tangible.
The Lord says, “I
will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you. (Psalm 32:8)
Lesson Two: Forsake the Distractions and Do Not Fear the Obstacles
Focus on your goal and be mindful
that distractions will come. Challenges and trials will be evident. Remember
you have been created with everything you need to succeed. Your dependability
is not on other but is within you not without.
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome
them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
(I John 4:4)
Lesson Three: Faith and Trust.
Sometimes in life you will have
goals that you desire to accomplish. Know that you will encounter challenges
along the way. You need to have confident trust in the one that holds you and
guides you. God knows the plans he has for you, plans to proper you, and give
you a hope and a future. You can arrive at your destination if you trust in the
one that will take you there. Who you trust can be a fuel or a deterrent to you
reaching your destination. The journey may seem treacherous but God will bring
you through if you should keep the faith.
“For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Lesson Four: Trust your
Inner Voice and Block Out the Noise
The Spirit of God lives with us and sometimes you have to shut out the noise
and trust in the ability that God has given you, God will equip and enable you
for the task that is ahead of you. He will not leave or forsake you. He will
not leave you desolate.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified
because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you
nor forsake you. Deuteronomy
31:6