Hydroplane

I had an unusual experience yesterday morning. I had gotten up early so I could drive in to our church to join some friends at a prayer meeting. I was running late. Before leaving, I had a few things to do. My morning regiment includes feeding our three border collies, three horses and our one barn cat. I rushed through the chores. I had to gather all the things I needed for the day. I had to fix a cup of coffee for my trip into town. As I gathered my stack of stuff, I realized I didn't have my wallet. I searched and searched and became frustrated. Finally I had to wake up my wife because she knows where everything is located in our house. I praise God for this wonderful gift He has given her. She told me my wallet was on our dryer where I had left it the night before. I finally got in my car and headed into town.

A few inches of snow had fallen that night and the road was a little slick and slushy. But I was focused on getting to the prayer meeting and I was determined to get there on time. I was hustling as usual.

I had driven for four minutes when suddenly, my car began to hydroplane. The back end of my car began to slide around to the front. I steered into the slide like they teach you in Driver's Ed but nothing would correct this situation. My brakes didn't work. I could not steer the car. I was out of control. I slid down the pavement backwards for what felt like a mile or two. (It was probably 50 feet) Then I could feel the car slide across the center line and toward the ditch on the opposite side of the road. I am now watching the forward progress of my car through my rear view mirror. As my car began to move toward the ditch, just another fifty feet down the road I spotted a light pole coming toward me. I'm going, "Oh crap...Jesus help me".

By the time I reached the light pole, I was going about five miles per hour but I struck the light pole with my rear passenger side door. My car spun around at impact and I ended up in a shallow ditch with coffee spilled all over my clothes. I sat there for a moment, coffee dripping off my eye brow trying to figure out what had happened and then it occurred to me. "Dan, you've got to slow down. You've got to take time to live. This pace is not healthy."

I write to my dear friends who are reading this blog. I want to encourage you. Slow down. Give yourself the gift of time to read and pray more in the quietness of the solitary moments of your life. Take time to listen to God's voice. Leave more time to "be still and know that I am God". Make time to watch your kids grow up. enjoy your spouse and your closest friends. Coffee is not meant to drip from your eye brows but to be shared with friends in loving conversation. Don't hydroplane through live. Life is so precious.