An Icy Trial

 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