May 13,2013

While joining my husband on a recent business trip, my memory returned to an incident which occurred a number of years ago soon after Billy and I married. This event would have a profound impact on our lives.

Billy was a professional race car driver at the time and I joined him on the ‘tour’ during the second year of our marriage. While racing in Orange County, California, the morning of ‘Race Day’ began like all of the other Sunday mornings. We would get to the track early for the ‘Racers for Christ’ church service before the beginning of the race day. However, that morning, I was unable to find one of the tiny gold cross earrings that my parents had given to me before we had left to go on tour. I chose to wear them each race day because they gave me a little peace and confidence as I watched Bill travel down the racetrack at over at 300 miles per hour on a quarter mile track. Each Sunday, I also wore a gold necklace that he had given to me; the chain bore a gold replica of his race car. That morning, we were almost late as I frantically looked for the missing earring. I resolved to wear another set of earrings and quickly put the necklace around my neck as we rushed out the door of the hotel.

The day progressed and Bill’s car was running well. As he left the starting line for the next round of racing, the car thundered down the track; then there was a horrendous explosion and a huge ball of flames engulfed Bill’s car. I stood paralyzed watching the flames shoot into the air. Finally, adrenalin rushed through my body as a member of the race team whisked me into the tow car and we sped down the race track as a thick cloud of black smoke billowed from the center of the emergency vehicles surrounding the car. My heart pounded; the only thoughts sounding in my mind were my cries to God, “O God help him; help my husband!”

As we neared the burning race car, I looked to the side of the race track and there stood Bill, still in his fire suit, surrounded by medics, but very much alive and safe! The emergency team had successfully extracted him from the inferno… After a medical exam and some oxygen, we realized he was unharmed, except for a scorched mustache.

We returned to our team’s semi-trailer and while the crowd and the media surrounded our pit area, I retreated to the rent car.  Finally alone, tears from deep within began to spill from my heart and sobs came uncontrollably. I thanked God for hearing my desperate cry…and for being faithful…

Then as I looked down to wipe away my tears…I saw it…to my complete amazement, the tiny cross earring that was missing that morning was dangling from the window of the race car hanging on my necklace.

I sat stunned…My thoughts scrambled…How was it possible? Was it a coincidence? How had the earring remained in the race car all day through the walking, the running, the panic, the absolute chaos?

Then, in those moments, I felt God’s powerful presence…

He impressed upon me that the cargo of my husband’s life in that race car was precious to Him…then the words, “I will never leave you or forsake you”, resounded in my mind.

That day, unlike any other, I experienced that very personal promise from our loving Father…He would always be there…In the face of anything, of everything…in any and every circumstance…He would not abandon or renounce or turn away from me…He would never forsake me…

Our Loving God is with each one of His sons and His daughters. He will be there through any and every circumstance… He will never leave or forsake…
Because in the vehicle of Life, His children are precious to Him…Precious Cargo!

“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid…for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6

…”You are precious and honored in My sight and because I love you…”

 Isaiah 43:4

Abundant Joy,