LOOK TO GOD AND LIVE

I recently made a two week long car trip away from my family. It was not until I was alone on the road and feeling exhausted that I realized my own vulnerability. Without God to help me, I would not survive the trip. I could not endure the journey without a higher power to guide my path. I got lost several times, especially in the big cities, where interstates met interstates. Poor visibility, rain, fog and fatigue all took their toll. I listened to Church music and LDS instructional recordings to stay alert and to keep my mind on what was really important.

Several times, I should have been killed or injured in auto accidents and near misses became common place. I believe that miracle after miracle guided me in safety. My first destination from Utah was Pebble Beach, California. Nevada seemed particularly discouraging with its million dollar casinos surrounded by run down trailer courts and desperate, depressed looking people. The losers had paid for the lush gambling halls filled with cigarette smoke.

On one occasion, I took a wrong turn and wound up in a rundown part of the city in Oakland, California, searching for a gasoline station. The streets were dark and the stares of young people in gang colors were frightening at best. It was then that I realized I was at the mercy of whatever those stares had in store, unless divine providence acted in my behalf. Fortunately, I was guarded once more and escaped unharmed, glad to be on my way.

By midnight that first night, I found myself searching, with the help of God and a GPS, for our son’s family amongst a darkened housing area, in a series of lefts and rights that made me dizzy.

I should have not been able to stay awake, but somehow, His angels bore me up and I arrived and collapsed into an awaiting bed at their home. I was thrilled to spend time with family members.

The next leg of my journey brought me thru central and northern California and finally Oregon. Except for the passes, the roads were straight and long and it rained most of the time. Just before Portland, I stumbled into a Motel 6 that was offering a single room for half price. I didn’t even know they were having a special there and I do not believe I staggered into that particular facility by coincidence.

On I went from there to Everett, Washington, Marysville, Washington and finally Oak Harbor, Washington, visiting family along the way and enjoying their kindness and hospitality and of course, getting lost off and on.

I next stopped at the Seattle LDS Temple and participated on ordinances therein, despite efforts by the adversary to impede my way and block my path. It is so good to know that God’s power trumps that of Satan.

I finally parked the car in long term parking and flew home to Utah leaving the car there for a flight back to that area in a couple of days. New adventures awaiting my return to Seattle this time with our daughter and grandson; he had a medical appointment. More miracles followed. Flat tires were fixed, wrong turns were taken and the hands of surgeons were guided, to the point that I could feel the hand of God blessing us all along the way.

I am filled with gratitude for the kind blessings we receive at the hand of God always. He is indeed our Savior and King and may we never forget who helps us thru the struggles of life as we work to do His will.