Snow. Blowing, drifting, blinding snow. Why now? Had it started just an hour later I would have been home. I was tired and worst of all, I was driving alone.

The newly fallen snow snaked its way back and forth across the roadway, its serpentine movement hypnotic. It was falling faster now and heavier. The usually familiar landmarks were disappearing, concealed in a blanket of white. Visibility was poor and decreasing with each passing moment. I could barely see ahead of me. I thought of pulling off to the side of the road, but, unable to get my bearings, I was afraid of driving off into one of the many ditches that lined the roadside.

I proceeded slowlywishing I wasn't alone

wishing I wasn't drivingwishing I was home. Anxiety was overtaking me. When I realized that all the wishing in the world would not change the situation, I began to pray. I told the Lord how frightened I was, how alone I felt, and asked Him to lead me through the storm.

The answer to my prayer was just ahead. I noticed a flicker of red light. Two dim, yet distinguishable, red lights. A semi. God had provided a truck to lead me. I thanked Him and then, no longer needing to find my own way through the storm, I relaxed a bit.

My comfort was short-lived. I was losing sight of the truck. He was going too fast. I couldn't keep up and I began to panic. I asked the Lord to help me keep up, but He seemed not to answer. I soon reached the point where the truck's speed made me too uneasy and scared. I reluctantly eased my foot from the gas pedal. I was on my own again.

Confused and anxious, I asked, "Why, God? Why did you provide the truck to lead me only to take it away again?"

The answer came a short way down the road. There, having failed to negotiate a turn, lay the truck on its side.

The Lord had not abandoned me as I thought. In His foreknowledge He knew the outcome. In His wisdom He knew if I stayed on the path I was traveling, I was heading for disaster. In His love He was protecting me.

I gained new insight from my experience that day. I have been reassured of God's presence in my life. For though I felt I was on my own again when I lost sight of the truck, He showed me He was always with me. I can be confident that I am never alone.

I realize, too, that although I acknowledged God had provided the truck to lead me, I soon transferred my trust from God to the truck. How often I take for granted the things He has provided for me and turn to trust in them instead. For example, how easy it is to trust in the income He has provided to pay living expenses and lose sight of the One who has provided it.

I was reminded that unanswered prayer does not mean God doesn't hear nor care for me. He loves me beyond measure and will always do what is best for me. I shudder when I think of the possible outcome if the Lord had answered my prayer to help me keep up with the truck.

I also learned that God should always be my first line of defense, not an afterthought when all else has failed. My initial reaction should not have been wishing I was in different circumstances. I immediately should have been praying that the Lord would see me through the storm.

Which He did and does.

Jean Hansen Kammerer is a wife, mother and grandmother. She enjoys writing, music, dance and drama and is active in nursing home and music ministry. She is a member of First Lutheran Church, Missoula, MT.