Praising God in All Things
If you have read any of my recent blogs, you know that I was on a working vacation up in Corry, Pennsylvania to visit family and to participate in several events including Corry Fest and a book signing at the Corry Public Library. I had a great time. Everyone treated me like a celebrity. Most of the way home I was basking in the afterglow of the good time that I had there, however, shortly after I crossed into Missouri, at the 18-mile marker on Hwy 57, the rear driver’s side tire blew. The tire blew in front of the weigh station and I pulled the truck off the side of the road to inspect the damage. The tire was in ribbons. I would have to have the tire changed, but after about 12 hours of driving I was too tired to change the tire myself.
In the past I might have panicked, but not this time. I knew that God had everything under control so I did the first thing that came to my mind. I called a friend where I live. I was still 3 hours for home, but calling him seemed to be the right thing to do. After discussing my options we agreed that the best thing that I could do was call 911 (Incidentally, I later learned that I would have had a quicker response if I would have dialed *55 which has access to the highway patrol.) After a couple of calls, I talked to the highway patrol which said that they were sending someone to come help me. Before the highway patrol arrived, however, the inspector from the weigh station came out to help me with the tire. He was trying to loosen the first lug nut when he broke the tire iron. We had no choice but to call for roadside assistance.
I Saw Good in the Situation Immediately
You would think that at this point I would be panicking, but I looked at the bright side of the situation and saw God’s hand in the events. The tire blew in front of the weigh station so I was able to pull off on the shoulder where the off ramp of the weigh station was. The inspector called and asked that the weigh station be closed while my truck was there so I had room to maneuver around the truck as did anyone helping me.
About this time a highway patrol officer arrived and let me sit in his car in the air conditioning while we waited for the road side assistance. The inspector was off duty so he went home. When the truck offering the roadside assistance arrived, we learned that the problem was more than just a blown tire. I discovered that the bearings and the axle were the real problem. He said that the extreme wabble of the wheel caused the tire to blow. (I had to have the front passenger bearings replaced recently, so I knew that he was telling me the truth.) My truck would need to be towed into their garage if I were to get my truck back on the road.
About a half hour later the tow truck arrived and my truck was loaded on the flatbed trailer and taken to their shop. They said that they could have it done by the next mornig so it was in my best interest to spend the night at a motel.
The Silver Lining
In this situation, I found favor all the way and I could see God’s hand in all of it. Everyone who tried to help me were extremely kind. I made it a point to thank the highway patrol officer for helping me because I knew that his was a thankless job. His response was that he was just doing his job. My response to him was that I knew that he didn’t get thanked like he should for his job and that I wanted to make it a point to thank him for his work. He said that he appreciated it.
The people at the garage helped me not only find a motel in which to stay, but also drove me to the motel and brought my truck to me. In addition, rather than charging me extra for anything, they actually shaved expenses for me so that my bill wouldn’t be too outrageous.
In addition, God provided more than enough to pay for everything that they did for me at the garage.
When I finally got back on the road to travel my final three hours home, I was smiling. I was elated as I thought about God’s provision in this situation. Again, God had my back.
God’s Favorites
The following morning, I woke up and as I was thinking about what God had done the day before, I sensed that God was telling me that I am his favorite. He then told me not to put too much ego into that statement because anyone who believes that God is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him are all his favorites. (Hebrews 11:6). I asked him how he could have so many favorites and it was as though he laughed, “I can have all the favorites I want, because I am God. I can do anything.”
Donna Brown is pastor at Faith in God Church 1 1/2 miles south of Brandsville, Missouri on Hwy 63. Sunday services are at 10 am and Wednesday night Bible Study at 6:30 pm. As Author Cygnet Brown, she has published a nonfiction book: Simply Vegetable Gardening: Simple Organic Gardening Tips for the Beginning Gardener
She is also the author of historical fiction series The Locket Saga. which includes When God Turned His Head and Soldiers Don’t Cry, the Locket Saga Continues, and, A Coward’s Solace, Book III of the Locket Saga. The next book Book IV of the Locket Saga: Sailing Under the Black Flag will be out in the near future.
.For more information about Cygnet Brown and her books, check out her website at http://www.cygnetbrow.com .
Author Cygnet Brown 