Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A Blowout
Last night, I had a meeting in a city about an hour from my house...It was for the small group leaders in our student ministries...since I am now a small group leader, I needed to go. Well, about 45 minutes from home and about 20 minutes from the home I was going to, I felt a thump and heard a lot of noise from under the car. I thought I had just run over something...so I looked back, didn't see anything and kept going. In about 2-3 minutes, I heard this loud noise and I looked at the truck next to me wondering why his truck was so noisy...then he went by and I still heard it--it was getting louder and it sounded just like a helicopter was landing on top of my car...I actually looked up trying to see what it was. Then, I saw smoke coming from the back of my SUV...left(driver's side) hand side, back wheel. I panicked...literally.
I was alone in a city...my husband was 45 minutes away with the kids. I was on a busy interstate...big trucks coming around me very quickly. I pulled over to the shoulder, but at the time, I did not realize that it was a very bad place to stop. The shoulder right there was very narrow and it was pinned in by a guard rail, so I could not get over any more. I was so close to the 70 mph cars going by that I could not even open the driver's side door to see what was wrong. I called Mike and told him what had happened. He knew it was a blowout, but he needed me to get out and make sure. He could not understand how close I was to the traffic and I did not think it was safe to get out and look. I was screaming this to him...(I told you I was in a panic mode). He told me to get out on the passenger side and peak around to make sure it was the tire. I did, with the phone in my hand, and glanced really close to see a completely flat tire with huge gashes in it...nothing was there, but a rim and shredded rubber. I quickly got back into the car and cried. Aren't we so sinful to forget what we know...that God is with us and He is sovereign over every detail of our life???
Mike tried to calm me down, but I was so scared because: 1)I was on a curve so close to the interstate,2)That I was going to get hit by a car or an 18 wheeler rumbling around the corner and 3) Mike was 45 minutes away and I could not stay there by myself.
Mike then asked me...*You mean there is not even any room to change the tire on the driver's side of the car???* I screamed, *NO!*
So, while I sat there and cried, Mike so calmly said, *Kim, listen to me...drive the car on the shoulder, going 5 miles an hour or slower and try to get to a better place to stop...see if you can get over away from the traffic...drive up the road and see what is up ahead.* God was so kind to help me to do this.
I had not thought of that...when I panic, my brain stops working.
So,I did what he said and once I got around the curve, I saw a gravel area off of the shoulder where I could safely pull over. When I drove the car, it made this horrible grinding sound and was shifting from side to side...I felt like I was rocking back and forth in a boat. But, I made it to the safer spot. Then, I was okay.
Mike called some really sweet friends of ours and they came...Carol took me on to the meeting and Craig stayed and waited on Mike...Thank you, God, for the body of Christ who helps gladly and is there when we need it! They(Mike and Craig) changed the tire together and brought it to me at the meeting. Mike waited for me outside the meeting to follow me home and make sure everything was okay.
I realized today that I am so weak. I am so fragile. I panic with something so minor, because I fail to remember what I know. I learned a lot about myself last night. I am reminded of God's faithfulness-that in the midst of my panic and uncertainty, He is secure and steady.
I was alone in a city...my husband was 45 minutes away with the kids. I was on a busy interstate...big trucks coming around me very quickly. I pulled over to the shoulder, but at the time, I did not realize that it was a very bad place to stop. The shoulder right there was very narrow and it was pinned in by a guard rail, so I could not get over any more. I was so close to the 70 mph cars going by that I could not even open the driver's side door to see what was wrong. I called Mike and told him what had happened. He knew it was a blowout, but he needed me to get out and make sure. He could not understand how close I was to the traffic and I did not think it was safe to get out and look. I was screaming this to him...(I told you I was in a panic mode). He told me to get out on the passenger side and peak around to make sure it was the tire. I did, with the phone in my hand, and glanced really close to see a completely flat tire with huge gashes in it...nothing was there, but a rim and shredded rubber. I quickly got back into the car and cried. Aren't we so sinful to forget what we know...that God is with us and He is sovereign over every detail of our life???
Mike tried to calm me down, but I was so scared because: 1)I was on a curve so close to the interstate,2)That I was going to get hit by a car or an 18 wheeler rumbling around the corner and 3) Mike was 45 minutes away and I could not stay there by myself.
Mike then asked me...*You mean there is not even any room to change the tire on the driver's side of the car???* I screamed, *NO!*
So, while I sat there and cried, Mike so calmly said, *Kim, listen to me...drive the car on the shoulder, going 5 miles an hour or slower and try to get to a better place to stop...see if you can get over away from the traffic...drive up the road and see what is up ahead.* God was so kind to help me to do this.
I had not thought of that...when I panic, my brain stops working.
So,I did what he said and once I got around the curve, I saw a gravel area off of the shoulder where I could safely pull over. When I drove the car, it made this horrible grinding sound and was shifting from side to side...I felt like I was rocking back and forth in a boat. But, I made it to the safer spot. Then, I was okay.
Mike called some really sweet friends of ours and they came...Carol took me on to the meeting and Craig stayed and waited on Mike...Thank you, God, for the body of Christ who helps gladly and is there when we need it! They(Mike and Craig) changed the tire together and brought it to me at the meeting. Mike waited for me outside the meeting to follow me home and make sure everything was okay.
I realized today that I am so weak. I am so fragile. I panic with something so minor, because I fail to remember what I know. I learned a lot about myself last night. I am reminded of God's faithfulness-that in the midst of my panic and uncertainty, He is secure and steady.
New important information I forgot to add: When Mike and Craig were changing the tire, a highway patrol man stopped to check on them. Mike told them that his wife was alone when it happened and he was 45 minutes away, etc...the policeman told him that anytime this happens, just call 911 and a highway patrol will notify the highway department and they will change your tire for you...no charge. They do this so people will not be in danger out there. Believe me, I will be dialing that number first thing next time. Isn't that good to know?
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
28 Comments:
I would have cried too...and then felt bad that I didn't stay calm.
I am so sorry you had this horrible and frightening experience, but I am so thankful that you are safe, and that you are choosing to see God's goodness in it all. I would have been bawling on the phone too! But it is so true that God's hand is always present, and thank you for reminding me of that today!
Wow, so scary! Glad you are safe! I can't imagine!
Lacy
I saw a wreck in the snow on a highway one time. I dialed 911 but never pushed send. I kept screaming "It won't go thru. The call won't go thru!!!" My son calmly said "Push SEND mom". Whoops!
angela conklin
a friend thru your entries
Wow, what an evening. That Mike sure does sound better and better every time you write about how he treats you. I hope my daughters find men like him. Glad you were safe, Kim.
Oh, and how many times did you apologize for yelling at him over the phone? Just curious, cuz I know ya did.
You know what? I think our men love it when we get stuck in situations that try us, and we NEED them. Don't you? I'm just so "self-sufficient" most of the time, or like "the little red hen," and I can "do it myself." I know my man likes it when I turn to him for help. I miss chivalry, don't you?
Praise God you are OK. I would have cried, yelled and cried more. :o)
Oh, Kim! I'm so glad you're safe too. Praise God. People do lose their lives trying to change a tire on such a narrow shoulder of the highway.
I tend to go into thinking mode under stress. Then after the trouble is over, I wig out! I shake, get nauseous, and a tension headache suddenly hits. I guess it's an adrenaline hangover... Not sure that's any better.
Some of our responses in these situations are associated with our body chemistry as well. Something we can't control.
I've admired that God created men to be able to make decisions without too much panic and emotions in their way. And how great it is when our husbands have that secure, calming affect on us. :) God bless you.
Andrea L.
I would have responded in much the same way. But, about 2 years ago, we had something similar happen to us and when I look back, I see SO many ways that God walked us through it and kept us safe in the midst of danger. I hope I learned from that experience. So glad that you are okay!
I am so glad you are okay! That is so dangerous to be on the side of the road like that, even when it is not narrow, but even more so when it is. My husband worked with a woman who had a flat tire on an interstate, and a police officer stopped to help her. It was late at night and a drunk driver hit the police officer's car, killing him. The woman was okay, and so was the drunk driver. I say all this because it just causes us to be even more thankful to see God's protection in our lives. To know that something so terrible could have happened, but God completely protected you and preserved your life! I am praising God with you!
What a great reminder for all of us - I am just sorry you had to go through this for it to come to mind!! You did great though -
What a day! I am very glad that God kept you safe. I have cried at far less scary situations. I am so glad that we have our husbands to help us in those times when we lose our heads and panic. I've never had a blowout but am glad to know that I'll be prepared if I ever hear something that sounds like a helicopter landing on my car. :) So glad that you are back safe and sound.
Praise the Lord that we married people get to take turns being the calm voice of reason and the person in a panic. It's so awesome that your husband was able to be the former for you in your time of distress!
I'm so so happy you are safe and sound.
One time I bonked and shattered an SUV's rear side window with my SUV's side mirror, while attempting to park. I was stuck in the right lane, and I couldn't move my vehicle because I didn't know if I would further damage the car. I just totally lost it and just sat there, blocking 1 1/2 lanes of traffic, blubbering. This was in Greenwich, CT, where people are sometimes in a hurry and not the kindest of drivers. A sweet older man stopped and helped me parallel park into the spot I was going for in the first place and then call AAA and my boyfriend (now husband). I just became completely incapable of handling the situation or thinking clearly. Yet at other times, I'm the calm one in a crisis.
I hope your nerves have recovered and that you never have that experience again!!
Scary...glad you're safe, Kim. I would have freaked out too.
How scarey. Sorry that you experienced this. How great though, that you were able to process it all afterward and to make it a spiritual lesson. Glad you are OK.
Sorry you were scared, but what a great lesson. I often think about how how I should have prayed first after the fact. God is always there, but when we are in our fleshly forms, we forget.
Wow, that is so scary. So happy everything turned out okay.
I'm still on vacation but will be home soon!
Laukra
Glad you are ok!! That happened to me driving to the beach with 4 kids and a dog. I had to drive on the shoulder until I got to a gas station exit. I got the manuals out to figure out how to change it and these nice men who were traveling with their families came over and said they owned a service station and that they would change it for me. I was so thankful! It was only about 95 degrees and I had hot cranky children. God does watch over us!!
When I first started reading, all I could think of was how afraid I'd be, too. I think I would've handled the situation in much the way you did. I find I can be calm on my own, but tend to fall apart when my husband's around. I was much more independent before I got married & early on...but now I rely on that man so much it's probably a little unhealthy ;D
So glad God had your friends in place & willing to help you!
P.S. - I've been a member of the 6:00 a.m. club since reading your post. I may make it earlier one day, but I'm taking slow steps on that one!
There is no worse feeling than being stranded on the highway (with 7o mph traffic zipping by), far from home, and alone. Thank the Lord for cell phones. Can you imagine what it was like before them.
I always hate it when life's stresses bring out the best in me especially towards my husband. ;)
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God is always so good to take care of us, even when we forget... He is still there. Always. I love that.
Oh....I am SO like you in this area!!! Thank the Lord...for wonderful husbands....who have the ability to help think clearly!!
I'm SO thankful you are OK...and Safe!!!
I am sooo sad that this happened to you!!!
I was in a very similar situation in Atlanta (where we're from). From personal experience, though, 911 does NOT work. At least in Atlanta it doesn't. I sat there for an hour and NO ONE came to help me. I finally called a friend and she was no help at all but at least I wasn't alone! HAHA!! Finally a kind man stopped and helped. Bless his wonderful heart!!!
I hope this never happens to anyone! It is very scarey, I agree!
His,
Mrs. U
Praise God that you are safe and it turned out okay. That must have been very scary. But He never leaves us, so God was with you the whole time.
That's really neat about highway patrol helping people out!
That is great to know. I am so glad that you are safe and sound. God watches over us!
I didn't realize they would do this for you. That's very good to know!
So glad you are safe, Kim. That would have been scary. Your husband sounds like such a good guy and I love that there were friends there to help you out. God provided perfectly for you.
I would be crying too! I'm so glad you are safe! My parents and in-laws, the same week, both had such severe blow-outs that their tires resembled one of those fried blooming onions! Crazy!
P.S. I'm reading Shopping for Time and love it!
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