Last Thursday, January 20th, 2012, near the end of my workday, the
weather turned deadly. Snow began pouring down from the sky, quickly
reducing the visibility to "0". As I stepped out of the building, snow
clung to every exposed part of my body, and I couldn't see even a foot
in front of my face. I was in the middle of a whiteout. Yet despite the
less-than-ideal weather conditions, I still had to get home.
It
was funny that the day before someone had told me about a whiteout
experience, and I declared to that person that there was no way I would
ever drive anywhere in such circumstances.
Yet here I was,
cleaning my car of this sticky, heavy snow.
I'm not real sure why
I even bothered. No sooner had I finished clearing the snow from a
window when the newly-fallen stuff would again coat that surface.
Still I was determined. I had to get home.
Once in the car, I
was literally dripping with snow. My hair was covered and my glasses
were completely fogged over. Nevertheless I wiped my glasses and started
the car. I'm not sure why I bothered defogging my glasses either, for no
sooner had I finished when I needed to start over again!
Not that
it mattered much. I couldn't see anything at all, even without my
glasses! I couldn't even see the car in front of me. How would I ever
get home?
But I was persistent. I turned on my emergency lights
so as to be a bit more visible to those who shared my road, and I drove
slowly, ever so slowly. I didn't have a choice, really. You can't drive
fast when you can't see! Besides, anyone around me were driving slow as
well.
When I glanced at my knuckles I realized that I was
gripping the steering wheel with all my strength. No way would I let it
out of my grasp! As I watched my knuckles grow white from the strain, I
finally realized that I was a bit too tense.
I also realized I
was trying to be in control of my circumstances. How completely
ridiculous! Who can control whiteout conditions! I sure can't!
It's then that I concluded that I was doing it again. I was trying to be
my old self again , and my insistence on being in control was filling me
with anxiety. "Heavenly Father," I humbly prayed, "I'm doing it again!
I'm trying to be in control and it fills me with terror. These
circumstances are way out of my league. I can't be in control, so I will
step off the high position I try to occupy, and I invite You to be in
control of my life and circumstances. I will rest now in Your arms,
knowing full well that whatever happens will be for the best. Thank You
Father for being there for me."
That's when I was filled with
total peace. My grip on the steering wheel relaxed, and I actually
started to enjoy the experience. Why? Because I began to see my
circumstances from a different light. My Heavenly Dad was taking care of
me, and now I could just enjoy my ride. Yes! Even amidst this storm,
these whiteout conditions!
Naturally I arrived safely home in the
shelter of my God. He is my fortress after all!
Only later did I
learn that a clipper system had gone over our region, bringing embedded
heavy bursts of snow with strong winds and significantly reducing
visibility. These whiteouts conditions closed two nearby highways, where
32-vehicle pile-ups were reported. Other accidents were reported as
well, just like the car I saw in the ditch.
I may not be able to
be in charge of my circumstances, but God sure can and He welcomes such
opportunities. Thank You Father that I can leave all of my worries in
Your capable hands. Oh I love You!
Do you have problems seeing
through your windshield?
Rob Chaffart