Indiana highways and southern snowstorms

It feels like yesterday, that cold snowy Sunday morning when the snow flurries turned into obnoxious snowflakes, the black car coming out of nowhere and crashing into the back of my Ford Fusion, the the forceful lurch that sent us toward the semi's trailer, avoiding another collision by going airborne down into the field, through the fence, and facing the way we'd come.

365 days. 

It's almost impossible to believe that day was already an entire year ago. The memories from that weekend feel so fresh. Looking back, I'm reminded how faithful God was on that day. He clearly had His hand on us, watching closely and protecting us, working out the details, providing for us, and bringing us to safety. I am forever thankful for the memory of that weekend instilled in my heart and mind, a permanent reminder of God's grace in the midst of chaos when plans don't go as expected.

Flash forward one year. 

This past week, I had the opportunity to travel with a group from school to Chattanooga, TN for a children's pastors conference. Not long into our journey, the snow began to fall, and before we knew it, we found our fifteen-passenger van on the slushy, snow-covered roads of Kentucky. Of course we'd be having a mild winter, and then it would snow when we have to travel, I thought.  

Wintry roads are my nightmare. There are few things that make me more terrified than being in a vehicle on bad roads. My body gets tense; my heart starts racing; it nearly paralyzes my body. I despise it. 

As the snow continued to fall and collect on the roads, I naturally tensed up, my fear of wintry-weather travel conditions kicked in, and I inwardly began freaking out. And then I remembered this weekend marked exactly a year since my accident. How ironic; how timely.

As we ventured on, God continued to prove Himself faithful and watch over us, protecting us from slippery roads and several close calls. Following several terrific days at CPC, the same thing happened on the way home, with poor road conditions marking half our trip (All the stories I've heard are true... snow and the south really don't mix well). After all the hype of the winter storm wiping through the east coast, I was especially worried about the traveling conditions. But God proved Himself faithful once again and carried us home safely through the storm. 

While this seems like a small thing looking back, it taught me the importance of truly leaning on God to take care of me. Sadly, it's a situation I don't put myself in too often. It's far too inviting to remain comfortable in my cozy little nest of blessings and not venture out into situations that require me to actually depend on God 100%. But in this situation this weekend when I felt completely helpless to do anything and fear started kicking in, I discovered that there's no greater peace than casting every anxiety on God and watching Him come through; no greater feeling than being held by the Father who cares deeply and loves endlessly. 

This weekend also taught me once again the power of prayer; God listens and cares about our concerns and fears, no matter how big or small they may seem to us. Words can't describe my gratitude for the praying friends and family God has blessed me with. I am so thankful for the many special people God's placed in my life. 

If I've learned anything from these two January weekends (besides the fact that I should probably avoid traveling on this weekend next year), it's that God truly is good, all the time. He loves us, cares for us, and is always fighting for us; even among Indiana highways and southern snowstorms.