View Blog Entry

My car, seemingly of its own volition, moved over a lane on the freeway.

I wondered, Did I turn the steering wheel? Do I have a flat?

I listened carefully. No thumpa-thumpa. Yet suddenly, my car moved over a lane again. What a blessing no other vehicles were immediately beside me.

For rush hour on the main road between Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz, hardly any other cars were on the road. Many people had left work early and were already home, waiting for the World Series to begin. But it was also October 17, 1989—the day of the Loma Prieta earthquake.

I pulled over to check my tires, then heard a semi’s radio crackle: “Lady, get back into your car. We are having a humdinger of an earthquake.”

I complied immediately, feeling the ground shudder under my feet again, and started praying.  

A California Highway Patrol drove up and announced over his loudspeaker, “Highway 17 is closed behind us. You are the last ones we are allowing to continue over the mountain. We will move as a group, slowly. I will go ahead of you in stages, ensuring the road is clear. I will ensure each of your vehicles clears any obstacles that may be ahead. Then we will all proceed again.”

The pavement was in ruins. At one point, the officer and the semi-driver had to help my car over buckled pavement when the undercarriage hung up.

Our brave officer was on the road, without gloves or a helmet, moving aside branches and large rocks so that we could continue our forward progress.

I wish I had thought to get the name of that faithful and courageous HP. He guided us down the far side of the mountain and disappeared into the gathering night. Maybe he was real. Perhaps he was an angel.

When our lives are shaken, God promises we can pray for guidance. When He provides it through prayer, His Word, and other believers, we can follow His leading through the earthquakes in our lives.

How can you be sure to rely on God when life shakes you? 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)