What do you do when the wheel falls off?
Next time you’re disappointed, don’t panic. Don’t jump out. Don’t give up. Just be patient and let God remind you he’s still in control. ―Max Lucado, God’s Inspirational Promises
Day six of our two-week vacation began in scenic Idaho Falls, Idaho. There was no reason to think today’s drive to Bozeman, Montana wouldn’t be another typical drive from one destination to another. By 9 a.m. we were cruising along on I-15 North. We’d told our cousins we’d be checking into the RV resort by 4:30 pm.
Our calm is interrupted
Apart from a half-dozen road work detours the miles moved in calm fashion. That is until they didn’t. Midafternoon, in the lane to the left, was a man in a white sedan frantically motioning for us to pull over. I rolled down the driver window.
“You’ve lost a wheel!” he yelled. “Pull over! Pull over now!”
What! The pickup and its attached 5th wheel were not indicating a problem. How could we not know a wheel had fallen off the trailer? So many questions raced through my mind. Should we take this guy seriously? Do we really have a problem? Should we trust this stranger’s words and frantic hand waving? I admit I was feeling uneasy but decided to pull onto the shoulder and stop. The man parked right in front of us. Had we fallen into a robber’s scheme; or worse? I prayed one of those fast, “Lord, help” prayers.
Jerry wasted no time getting out the passenger door. The denim-clad guy right beside him. Sure enough. We had a BIG problem. The wheel and tire were both gone!
“You lost it two miles back,” he said. “The tire bounced off the road, bounced back on, and then rolled onto the shoulder.”
Thankful for God’s protection
Thankfully the incident hadn’t caused a multi-car accident sprawled across the highway. No one was hurt and we weren’t robbed. It didn’t take us long to think this man was a messenger from the Lord.
The probable reason we didn’t know the wheel had fallen off is because the trailer has a dual axle. The tire on the front axle had kept us driving smoothly down the road. But it was starting to go flat.
The Lord was already working things out
How, and where, could we get another wheel and tire? We were unfamiliar with the area. To our surprise, the Lord was already working things out. Eight miles further was Dillon, Montana, where we would transition toward the I-90. Just before the exit ramp was a HUGE billboard sign: Les Schwab Tire Center. Next exit. Take a left at the first light. Only the Lord could have brought us such professional help so quickly. Feeling blessed beyond belief, we were singing His praises! Three and a half hours later we were on our way to Bozeman with a new wheel and two new tires.
What do you do when the wheel falls off?
Your wheel might look different than mine. But count on it. Life brings all of us days when the wheel falls off and unexpected stuff interrupts our plans. The furnace might quit, the dog might die, surprise medical needs could arise, or accident, or a family torn apart. How we react is very important. Will we get angry, stomp around, and feel mistreated? Or, will we remember God’s sovereignty? He knows where we are, sees our need, and is in control of the perfect fix before we can reach the exit ramp.
You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. Psalm 77:14
