Monday, November 04, 2013

A Divine Moment







In my post on Saturday, I briefly mentioned a storm that caused ferry cancellations. What I didn't tell you is what happened before we arrived at the ferry terminal.

The rain was pelting down and the wipers flapped back and forth furiously trying to keep up. We were on a divided highway, in the left lane, with not too much traffic. A good distance between cars. The car in the right lane, just ahead of us, suddenly went through a puddle and threw up a huge wall of water onto our windshield. 

Instant blindness. We could not see anything but the water on the window. There we were, hurtling down the highway without a clue of what was in front of us. Driving blind. In those few seconds, I imagined of the concrete barrier on our left and the lane of cars on our right. I waited for a collision. Was this to be our end? There wasn't much fear. Both of us were utterly silent, waiting. I didn't think of my family, or of my life. All I did was wait. I don't think I even breathed. Those seconds felt like an eternity.

Then the water cleared. We had drifted slightly over the line into the right lane, but no cars were there. Divine protection. I think so. As I exhaled, the words came, "God, thank you, thank you." And then the shaking terror of "what might have been," followed by tears of relief/shock, which come even now as I write this.

This incident has played over and over in my mind since then. I am thankful to God for life and protection. 

 

31 comments:

  1. Thar has hapened to us too but it obviously wasn't our time to go and all was well. I also fell off my bike once at a busy intersection and for once there was nothing right behind me. As you say it's afterwards that the shock of what could have been kicks in. So glad you were safe and hope it won't be long before you can remember this without the tears of relief/shock as I know will happen in due course.

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  2. Those are such frightening moments speeding along on the highway! I'm so glad God protected you from harm...

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  3. A horrible experience, Lorrie. God was watching out for you.

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  4. Need to come back and catch up with you but had to comment here and join you in thankfulness and praise for the protection you had. I know the sensation. Was in a car that over turned when I was 21 and there was no panic at all while it was happening. Just peaceful resignation as my life did flash before me. Once rescued I was sobbing, shaking and incoherent!

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  5. So glad nothing bad happened. You had an angel watching over you for sure.
    Many hugs.
    Karen B. ~ Todolwen

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  6. I'm so glad for that divine intervention for you Lorrie. That has happened to me/us many times as well and it's like you said. You just hold your breath waiting to see where you end up. Then that realization that you're okay really hits. Thankful blessings.

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  7. So scary Lorrie. I'm so glad you were ok. Someone was watching out for you!

    We were traveling to the coast a couple of years ago and just outside Calgary, on a sunny, dry day, a big semi suddenly jackknifed behind us. I could see in my side mirror and the screeching tires that didn't seem to want to stop was horrific. I can still hear that sound in my head. My dh was driving and calmly pulled into the ditch and up to get us out of the way of flying tire treads. We were fine but it was such a big thing it made the news that night. No one, by some miracle, was hurt but that truck was toast as it turned over a number of times. Thankful we weren't behind it and more than a few extra feet ahead of it.

    But still makes me nervous on the highway now.

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  8. What a chilling experience...thank goodness you and the other drivers were all ok. I can just imagine the fear in your heart at that moment. Yes, Someone up there was looking out for you.

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  9. Terrifying, especially in retrospect, I imagine, when you have time to process the possibilities. But also that renewed sense of appreciation for life . . . . take care. . . .

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  10. Thank God indeed! We just never know what the next moment brings! Glad you are both okay and what a joy to recognize a divine moment!

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  11. You were fortunate...those events send chills up my spine.
    Accidents can happen in a blink of an eye. Take care,
    Hostess

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  12. Oh my dear -- this story sends shivers up my back ! I am glad -- so glad -- that it worked out well and I know what you mean when it was over and the rush of adrenalin left, that is when you cry. (I'm also glad I'm not in the middle of our roadtrip when I'm reading this....I know we take our life in our hands everytime we get out on the road (but of course that's the same thing in town on regular errands too).

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  13. What a significant example of how God intervenes in our lives … protection probably much more than we can imagine in our finite minds!

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  14. Oh just reading this my heart is in my throat. How scary!
    Thankful for protection on a rainy day.

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  15. Yikes, I'm glad you're okay and that only tears were shed. xo Carole

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  16. Oh my. Thank you God, indeed.

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  17. So thankful to God for your safety, cousins.

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  18. Oh, I am thanking Him too for His "divine protection" of you and Tim! You describe it so vividly...the calm in that eternal minute...and the crashing mix of terror, relief, and thanksgiving after it was over. I can feel the emotion as I read...and can relate...

    The words of this hymn come to mind... "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Oh for grace to trust Him more."

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  19. Oh Lorrie--I am SO grateful that God kept you both safe! There are some moments in life that are definitely divine moments :)
    Blessings,
    Aimee
    PS: Loved the photo on this post!

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  20. I'm so glad you are ok - those things make us contemplate much.

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  21. Those moments are scary! Thankful for His protection of you and Tim and that no one was affected.

    I was recently thinking about this very thing as I have noticed recently that nearly every time I am out driving, a driver coming in the opposing lane of traffic is drifting over the line into my lane! I haven't had an accident, (this is what prompted this line of thinking) but I could tell it was from the other driver being distracted. I too am so thankful for His protection.

    Deanna

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  22. Anonymous4:54 AM

    That must have been so scary - I'm glad nothing terrible came of it too. That sure was a nasty storm on Saturday morning, we stayed inside where it was dry and warm and watched it through the window. Sunday sure was lovely though which was good for everyone to get out and clean up all the branches that had blown down.

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  23. That is scary, and I'm glad your were OK.

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  24. So glad you are ok! In times like these, seconds seem so drawn out and the realisation hits you. Thank goodness you were being protected at the time. xx

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  25. Keep your Guardian Angel near.

    English Roads are narrow and winding and you often get sprayed by lorries. It’s even worse when you are sun-blinded on a bend. I stop breathing every time.

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  26. I'm so glad that you are OK, what a scary moment that must have been. I was talking to a friend on the coast and she said the rain was almost sideways.

    Jen

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  27. I know that moment... both of them.
    So glad y'all were kept safe.
    Hugs!

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  28. Thank goodness for divine protection! I've had that happen before and it's usually done by a big truck.

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  29. Hi Lorrie,
    Saw your lovely comment on Shane's blog, we live in West Kelowna but are here in AZ and saw on the news about the storm. Your blog is lovely!

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  30. Life can change in an instant. I'm so glad that you were only frightened and could tell us how thankful you were after the storm. So thankful with you.

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