One day I was driving, there was a designated place I had to be. I was determined to arrive there on time. I did everything that was required of me to make it on time. By invitation, next to me, was a veteran. A seasoned prayer warrior. Those who know her will agree that I speak truth. My mother. Only that divinely orchestrated day, as I was driving, I took notice of how majestically the sun was shining brightly. Softly billowy clouds decorated the sky. Traffic was moving along at a steady pace. There were no slow drivers holding up traffic. There were no speedy drivers causing a disturbance, in the required speed limit. Everything was in order. Inside the vehicle was the song “Awesome” by Pastor Charles Jenkins & Fellowship.

It goes something like this:

My God is awesome, He can move mountains

Keep me in the valley, hide me from the rain

My God is awesome, heals me when I’m broken

Strength where I’ve been weakened, forever He will reign

My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome

My God is awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome.

My God is awesome, Savior of the whole world

Giver of salvation, by His stripes I am healed

My God is awesome, today I am forgiven

His grace is why I’m living, praise His holy name

He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, He’s mighty, Awesome, awesome

By the middle of the day, the storm came out of nowhere. My experience driving in a storm such as that was limited. She sat there calmly. I imitated her calm. She softly began to instruct me, after all, she had endured many storms. In the beginning, it was quite easy — the road we were traveling was straight and without bumps. So, without doubt, I followed her instructions. sighinh until we arrived at a stop sign. Cars were coming from both directions. My visibility was next to nil. What happened to the sun? What happen to the people? The world seemed barren. It was a bleak, dark gray. Every instinct in me was on high alert. I could barely see how to correctly gauge the car’s distance. I was at war with “seeing” and “believing.” I was promptly reminded of the passage in the Bible where the man wanted healing for his son. Jesus tenderly advised him: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24.

In that moment, my mind and heart was at war. The storm was horrific, debris was being flown in every direction; no one should have been out in it. This place was foreign to me. A thousand thoughts ran through my mind, the teachings from the past seemed to have vacated me. Doubt paralyzed my actions. The cars seemed closer than they appeared to be, or was that just me, thinking that?

“Don’t linger too long in your storm.” One of Pastor Rosa Meredith’s sermons softly sounded in my ears. I remember that particular sermon. Taking copious notes, I declared that day not to linger in my storm. That was the day of testing.

“You got it,” my mother advised me softly, bringing me back to the present. I didn’t make a move. There was a long pause inside the car. The feeling of doubt can be overwhelming. The need to hold my head down was strong. Realistically, I knew I couldn’t remain idle much longer. For one, there was my destination I had to reach. Secondly, I had traveled too far to give up now. Right on time, the verse of the song

“Awesome,” could be heard.

Today I am forgiven.

His Grace is why I am living.

Praise His Holy name.

My mother told me I had it. I didn’t move. I sat there still, missing the “appointed” moment. I felt it. I did have it. I watched the cars go by. She didn’t utter a word. But I felt it. The missed opportunity to make a move. I would have been further down the road, even in my storms. But I doubted. I didn’t listen to my teacher’s voice, as the move didn’t feel comfortable to me, so I delayed. I vowed to never forget that humbling experience. We should continue to listen to God inspite of the expected and, especially, the unexpected storms. At times, we may not see or even feel a sense of victory and we may not understand His timing. Continue to believe. Someone may now be driving in a storm. Let go. Let God. When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7.

(Editor’s note: Vanessa Richardson can be contacted at vanessajackso90@hotmail.com)