I've had a run in with lug nuts lately. It wasn't pretty and I'd rather not repeat it any time soon - or ever for that matter. The glimpse it gave me of eternity is something I'm still pondering.
It was a lovely afternoon when Curt and I headed for the grocery store. We'd been out doing errands and that was the last one on our list. It felt good to be looking at wrapping everything up and then going home to enjoy the evening. The sudden arrival of an ominous "clunk, clunk, clunk" from the front of the Jeep didn't bode well for that happy ending.
We pulled over to the side of the road and did our best to determine the source of the troublesome noise. It was coming from the right front quarter, but we couldn't identify the exact location. When we were both back in the vehicle Curt said, "Well, I guess we're headed to the garage instead of the grocery store." And off we went.
We traveled along at a slow speed, doing our best to keep from making matters worse. As Curt approached a corner and applied the brakes, the sound stopped all together. He said, "Well, that's good news. It's probably got something to do with the brakes." I asked why that was good news. "Because at least we know the wheel won't fall off," he replied.
We made it about another four or five miles before the "BOOM" happened. The Jeep shook as if it had been hit by a bomb. The antenna whipped across and down, slamming into the windshield. I looked over at Curt and his arms were out straight as he hung onto the steering wheel with every ounce of strength. His foot was out straight too applying the brakes with all his might. It felt as if we'd driven right into a wall.
Yes, it was scary inside the cab, but that wasn't all. As the car skidded down the road out of control, two mailboxes were fast approaching on the right. I figured that the worst that would happen there was that we would take them out at ground level. It was the telephone pole that loomed just a little farther down the shoulder that caused my heart to pump. All I could do was hold on.
We came to rest just past the mailboxes and about six feet before the pole. Without a doubt, God had just canceled a possible appointment with Him in eternity. I put my hand on Curt's arm and asked if he was okay. He let me know he was shaken up, but that he wasn't hurt at all. We jumped out to survey the scene.
The right front wheel had sheared off the axle and was laying a hundred feet or so behind us on the road along with some other fragments. Curt went to retrieve them. I looked at the right front quarter panel that resembled an old-fashioned can of sardines that had been opened upward by its little metal key. No wonder the antenna had whipped across the windshield.
We got on our cellphones right away. I called AAA for a tow and Curt called to alert the garage that we were on the way. As we hung up a car pulled over in front of us and a young man flew out of the passenger seat and headed toward us. He wanted to know if we were okay, really all right. When he knew we were fine he told us he was a mechanic and offered to help us if he could. I sensed right away that he was God's ministering angel.
When he looked at the wheel though he realized there wasn't anything he could do. He pointed out that two of the lug nuts had sheered right off. He let us know that something unusual must have happened for that to take place. His mother got out of the driver's seat and came back to check on us as well. She pointed out that we were on a very dangerous stretch of road and encouraged us to put our flashers on. Evidently there had been a number of serious accidents right in that area. I wasn't sure how they'd take it, but I let them know they were sent by God to care for us. We thanked them profusely for their help and waved good-bye as we waited for help.
There are no words to fully explain the despair that enveloped us both as we stood there by our damaged vehicle. My mind simply wouldn't compute. I turned to God for the why? how? what? answers, but nothing came. I could tell that Curt was also struggling with the whole situation. We are not new to disaster and pain, but this seemed to come out of nowhere and was over the top. Confusion reigned.
It was clear that I would get no answers for a while, if ever. I decided right then and there to commit myself and the whole situation to God. I made my statements out loud.
Father, I sure don't get it. Why would such a thing happen? You know how we've been under the gun lately. How could something like this come on top of all of that? It makes no sense to me. What are you trying to show us?
I even shared my thoughts with Curt, "You know, I don't get it, but I KNOW for sure that God has us right here by the side of the road in this mess. He's the one who arranges every detail of our lives and even though this isn't pretty, it's His doing."
Okay, God, I don't understand. I don't like it. I don't want to be here, but I yield to your plan for this day. I know you have good planned for my life and I'll trust that this somehow fits into that good. I give up. I'm Yours. Do as You see fit, Father.
I was reminded of 1 Samuel 3:18 which I had read earlier that week. "He is the Lord; let Him do what is good in His eyes."
It was dismal but the Lord started to show me some of the silver lining of the crash. There was a small store nearby where I could use the bathroom. Curt was able to get a drink when he was thirsty. God sent another couple of people to stop and check on us. It helped to be reminded that He hadn't forgotten us there by the side of the road. It became obvious pretty quickly as cars went whizzing by that we really did need the flashers. God made sure we had the information we needed.
After almost an hour the mechanic's mom came back by. She said she'd told her son that if we were still here she would stop and offer to take us wherever we needed to go. Just then the tow truck pulled up so I said it would be nice if she'd take me to the garage to avoid being crowded into the tow truck cab. She pulled into the driveway of the abandoned house where we were to pick me up. Hah, the tow truck blocked her in so we had to sit and talk. I learned that she was a sister in Christ and her dad was a deacon at the church just down the road. God is good!
While the Jeep was loaded up we exchanged names and rejoiced in the Lord. I told her then and there that as far as I was concerned she was Angel Bonnie. :-) We got back to the garage a little before Curt and the tow truck. I thanked Angel Bonnie heavily and prayed over her as I hugged her good-bye. When I let her go she asked me how we were going to get home. I said I didn't know. She suggested she wait at the curb while I checked with Curt. Still being in a daze, I agreed with more thanks.
The paperwork only took five minutes and we were in Angel Bonnie's car riding home. We continued to revel together in the goodness of the Lord. When we got to the house she didn't want to come in and have a cup of tea. She wouldn't take anything we offered. Angel Bonnie just wanted to care for us and then get home to care for her dad. More evidence of her angellic occupation. So Curt prayed over her and she went on her way.
We went into the house a bit deflated. We had the whole weekend ahead of us with only one vehicle, not such a burden, really. The rub was that we were scheduled to pick up some friends at the airport in Boston on Monday. It just felt like another nail in the coffin of discouragement. I'm sad to report that the joy over the many blessings of the Lord in the midst of such ugly circumstances only managed to keep our noses just above the waves. :-(
We made the trip to Logan Airport in my vehicle and enjoyed a lovely evening with our friends. The next day we asked if they would like to visit our church building. The dad was quite interested so we set off. While he and I were upstairs in the sanctuary Curt received a call from the garage. The owner said he found the problem with the wheel quite intriguing. He asked Curt if he left the Jeep unattended for long periods of time. He let him know that it does sit in the church parking lot for hours several times a week. The garage owner said that was interesting because it was his professional opinion that the sheared bolts were not the result of normal wear and tear nor loosening of the nuts. Rather, two of the lug nuts had been removed. It was an act of sabotage. Or as someone else described it a bit dramatically, attempted murder.
When I went downstairs with our friend Curt related that conversation to us. I couldn't believe my ears. Suddenly there was a witness from God's Word to my soul and it all made sense. John 15:20 says, "No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also." This incident was not the first time Curt and I have faced such obvious persecution. Years ago a church where we were serving was firebombed because "Lucifer doesn't like what's being preached in there."
I started to jump and dance. If I'd had pompoms I'd have given a cheer. I'm guessing our friend thought I was a bit strange. It was complete confirmation that what we were offering to God in our lives must be on the right track. The enemy doesn't waste his time frustrating those who are already under his control. Oh Hallelujah to the Lord!
Philippians 4:4 came to mind - the call to rejoice in all circumstances. Matthew 5:10 and following reminded me of the blessings that are assured for those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness and that the response needed to be rejoicing and gladness.
We stopped right there in the hallway and prayed. We praised God for showing His faithfulness, for offering His tender mercies, for revealing His protection in the face of evil. Glory to His Name. It was a fitting conclusion to the mess by the side of the road and celebration of who God is and how He cares for His people. Thank you, Jesus.
Since that day I continue to ponder what God would have me see in those lug nuts. Yes, He took care of us in spite of what was done against us. As Joseph reported, though someone means something for evil, God means it for good. Not only did the revelation lift up my faith higher than I can imagine, but it broke the chains of depression and discouragement that had been making me miserable. God's word is true. Hallelujah to the Risen King!
I'm sure you can imagine that Curt's considering putting locking lug nuts on the wheels of his newly repaired Jeep. It's a sensible course of action. Well, now I'm commited to making sure that nobody can tamper with the lug nuts of my spiritual life either. I sure don't want the wheel to fall off of my life and send me into the ditch of depression again.
It will take a major disruption to keep me from Sunday morning corporate worship. The times I've got set aside to spend with my Savior and Lord personally are less likely to fall by the wayside even on a busy day. I want to turn to the Lord quickly in every circumstance. I lay my will at His feet and sit to abide in His presence. Lord empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live a life fully yielded and pleasing to You. Amen
Curt and I avoided the trip to eternity that day on the road. The Lord has clearly given us more time to be refined for our eternity with Him. Father, please accomplish your plan for our lives.
Here's my question for you:
Are your spiritual lug nuts as secure as they need to be?
