I know that this story happened a long time ago, but I have always felt that I needed to share it. I recently had the impression that I needed to add it quickly, so here goes.
When I was 17, my brother and I needed to attend a CPR rue certification class for our job requirements. With neither of us owning our own car, we borrowed my mother's. the class was in the evening and got out late. On top of that, it was winter and we lived in a small town half an hour's drive away from the class. Thank heavens I had my brother to help me stay awake!
The snow had flown quickly that day and there where many drifts in the road. Luckily for us, we must have just followed a snow plow due to the freshly moved piles. It had been a really rough winter, and there was 6 feet of snow on the side of the road. (No, I'm not exaggerating. They really were that deep.)
As we got closer and closer to home, I began to relax about the snow and the drifts. Probably too much. Just a mile or two from home, there was a sharper curve in the road. Unbeknownst to us, the snow plow before us had laid some salt/dirt on a patch of black ice. Without time for it to take real effect, the ice was made momentarily slicker. Along with my careless lack of attention to the road and the slickness thereof, it is no surprise what followed.
We began to fishtail quickly into the sharp curve and my lack of driving experience became evident. I over corrected and we spun in circles until we finally crashed into the 6 ft wall of snow. Snow covered the front of the car. We were obviously trapped. In the state o the emergency, and the recent first aid class we had attended, I recognized myself going into shock. I shut down.
I'm so very great full for my brother. He was immediately proactive and was the source of my rescue. I handed him my phone, and making a wise decision, he called my father. I broke into tears. My father would be furious! My mother would never trust me again! How would I ever be able to face them? My father was on his y home from work and said that it would take some time for my other brothers and him to make it out to our aid, but they would be there as quickly as they could. We waited patiently in the car.
After a bit of time, a snow plow drove up. Seeing our distress, he stopped to see what he could do. What a gracious gesture! However, due to their rules and restrictions, the plow was not capable of giving us any assistance. Sadly, he just sat there as helpless as we were.
A moment later, another driver showed up. This time it was a neighbor with a truck. He stopped to see if there was anything he could do to help, but he failed to have the equipment needed to aid us. Again, he joined us in our helpless waiting.
Finally, my father and brothers arrived on the scene. My brother and I slowly and carefully exited the car through the backseat, the only door that was not all but covered in snow. I couldn't hardly look at my father, I was so ashamed of my actions. However, with his gracious love, my father wrapped his arms around me, held me so tight, and told me in his ever loving voice how much he loved me and how happy he was that I was protected.
Immediately thereafter, my father, brothers, and our gracious neighbors began to shovel the snow off the car with the tools they had brought from home. My father then retrieved a tow cable from his car and attached the stuck car to our neighbor's truck. Being the teacher that he was, he asked me to climb back into the driver's seat of the car. I was terrified. I had failed. How could I ever do what he asked correctly. He just smiled and assured me that he would guild me. True to his word, he lead me through the whole way until the car was returned safely to the clearness of the road.
All the work done, we were ready to go home. Before we left, we thanked those who had stopped and took a look at the damage the car had sustained. There was no functional damage, but the body around the front corner of the car where we had made impact had been ripped off. The site was horrendous to me. I knew for sure now that I would never be trusted with anything again. My father just hugged me, told me it was alright, and asked me to come home safely. He turned, reentered his own car, and drove home. My brother and I climbed back into the little broken car and followed him.
When we arrived home, we were greeted with hugs and kisses from my mother who cried out her gratitude that we were alright. She cared nothing for the state of the car, but only for our well being and safety. How grateful I am for her love for me.
How blessed we are to have a forgiving Father and Mother in Heaven. What a glorious blessing his plan is for us.
Even when we are careless and lose our way, we have our Brother, our Savior, sitting beside us to help us communicate with Him. He will be there waiting for us to hand Him the "phone" so that he can aid us.
Just as the plow and truck drivers were willing yet unable to aid us for their limitations and lack of the correct tools, there are so many in the world who have try to help us, but without the aid of the Father, the aid of the world was left useless. How blessed I am for the placement of helping hands in the world that the Father uses as the truck to pull us from our despair.
What a blessing that we have the Brothers of the church empowered by the tools of the Father who are ready and able to come to our aid. The power of the Priesthood and the blessing of Forgiveness.
How wisely the Father places us back into the position of trust and guides us through every step if we are willing to trust Him and listen to His words. He knows the best way out and will help us to learn and to grow. His guidance can lead us back to the safety and security of His path.
Finally, when we arrive home, we are greeted with open arms full of love. Our Father loves us so much and cares more for our safety than we can even imagine.
Today, the car has long been gone. I am impressed by the scar that yet remains. Although there was no real function damage,
the Father leaves the scars as a reminder of where we were. The pain
is gone. How grateful I am for the forgiveness of my father here on the earth and for the forgiveness of my Father in Heaven. I will praise His name for all my days!
