The Blow Out that Caused Hope

 I know, I know, it's been forever since I've been on here. But I have an excuse. Well, not much of one. but I have been running all over the country to visit my kids since Thanksgiving. You see when your children are in the ministry, they are really busy. And that's good. But it means, their Mother, who isn't all that busy, comes to them. At least right now, while I am still able to run up and down the highway. But I had a blow out on the way home from Oklahoma on Friday. Now a blow out has always been a fear of mine. Because we had one in the truck once and Preacher had a hard time getting control of it. It tore our fender up. He did love to keep his truck nice. Bro. Denny Johnson in Altus, helped him to put some screws and try to make it look better. I so appreciate him helping the Preacher.  Well, anyway, back to my story, I hit some big metal thing and it took my back tire out quickly. So thankful that I was able to get to the shoulder. I called my Emergency Road Service and they came in about an hour.  They sent this nice old guy, who couldn't hear. So that makes two of us and I'm yelling as the big rigs are whizzing by. It was quite funny. We could not find that spare tire. I'm standing out here on the highway in Oklahoma with all my Christmas, my luggage, my dirty clothes from living out of my van for two weeks, on the side of the road. This nice looking young Highway Patrolman comes and tries to help. He is quite "take charge." But can't find it either. They are crawling under the van and standing on their heads, (almost literally) trying to figure this out. I called my grand daughter Brittany, and my daughter in law Rachel, to get them to google "dodge caravan" to see where this spare is located. (don't you love cell phones and internet at a time like this?) Finally we find the little thingy in the floor between the front seats that lets the tire under the van lose, and guess what? The stupid thing wouldn't budge. So I finally said, "Could you just take me into the next town so I can buy a new tire."  Into town we go,  find what I need, come back, and I'm on my way home. It cost me about 3 hours and $l46.00 for a tire.  But I made it home safe and sound. Now I can say... a blow out doesn't scare me as much. Why? Because I experienced one and lived to tell. And experiencing difficult things help us to have hope. Thank you Lord that we get to learn first hand that You've got it under control and can be trusted. Even a blow out on the highway can cause me to have more faith. (hope)
 I love these verses; Romans 5:1-5
¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tirbulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.