Back in the
day, we went to visit the in-laws. Then it was a thirteen hour drive. Now, with
improvements to the roads, it’s only about ten hours. At this time, I was a
recently new believer.
For the
well-seasoned Christion, you may remember when you first started going to
church, every prayer seemed to get answered in a way you’d like to see it. I
think that’s to encourage new believers that God’s real, that He hears you and
that He does answer prayers. As you mature, you find you might have to wait, or
you get a ‘no’ from God, but in those early days it seemed like everything I
prayed for I received.
So, it was
early days in my prayer life. We were heading back from my husband’s parents:
John, myself and our two girls. I’d prayed for a safe trip. The roads weren’t
as good then. Colossal trees touched almost right to the line of the bitumen,
with no safe emergency stopping lanes and very few rest areas.
I remember an
earlier period while in a Western Star truck, getting out of the semi. I had to
exit from the driver’s side, because the trees were so close to the road, I
couldn’t open the passenger side door.
It was
still dark, 4 or 5 in the morning. My husband had spent the day unloading and
re-loading the truck, then went straight into driving, heading back to Sydney,
from Brisbane. Thankfully truck drivers aren’t allowed to work this way now,
but that’s how it was in the 90’s. John was tired and needed a sleep, so he
hopped in the bunk and the girls and I got out and went to the garage for an
ice cream, just to give him half an hour.
There were
two men across the road, waiting by the garage for a lift to work, I assumed. Wearing
their reflective vests with lunch bags by their feet, they watched me get out
of the driver’s side of a ‘big rig,’ lifting a baby in nappies and a toddler
out of the truck as I went. The surprised look on their faces spoke volumes as
to what they were thinking. I never enlightened them either, it wasn’t me
driving, but I can just imagine the story they told at work that morning.
Anyway,
back to my story: I was driving home. We were in the car this time. It was 2 in
the morning and pitch black. No moon, or stars. I was doing the speed limit,
which was 100k’s, when both headlights blew in the car at the same time.
Headlights aren’t supposed to ‘blow’ together. They’re on two separate relays
so that doesn’t happen, or so I’ve been told.
Thanks to
those trees, right up to the road, there was nowhere to get off the road. I’m
doing 100k’s and suddenly, I can’t see a thing. With John’s quick thinking and
experience, he hit the four-way button, which gave me a little light, as I
pulled up to a stop in the middle of the road.
There’s a
semi coming towards us. I don’t know what the driver thought. He slowed a
little, but he didn’t stop. God’s so good. As soon as the truck had gone
passed, I looked to my right and there was a parking bay, right there where I’d
stopped, out of all the places on that long stretch of mostly deserted road.
We turned
into the bay, John replaced fuses and away we went. At that time, I remember
asking God why both headlights blew, when I’d prayed for a safe trip. He showed
me a vision (it was one of the first times I’d ever had a vision), of a truck
coming around a bend on the wrong side of the road and I understood God was
showing me, because both the headlights blew, we weren’t in the path of this
truck and therefor missed a head on collision.
Praise God!
I knew then, God will always keep me safe. That’s why, if we get turned around
or delayed on a road trip, I don’t ever complain. You just never know what it’s
saving you from.
Alexandra Grose –
An investigative photojournalist and author for over twenty years. Writing is
her passion and her dream and helping others achieve their dreams, through her
written work, is Alexandra's greatest aspiration.
#Integrity;
truthfulness, honesty and reliability, in all things.
I believe one
should....be truthful in everything you say and do. Keep all relationships open
and honest. Be reliable, punctual and organised and if you say you'll do it -
do it.
If you want to soar
like an eagle, make an effort, not an excuse.
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