High school was behind me. Up ahead open road. Some may think 18 is too young to travel cross country alone on a motorcycle, but I never lacked for self-confidence. That and my strong faith would see me through just about any situation, I figured.
One day I set up my tent at a campground in Yellowstone National Park and went out to explore. I rode all day. I even met some guys my age.
That evening I had dinner with them at their campsite, which was several miles away from mine. We had a great time telling stories, trying to one-up each other as the sun went down. Finally one of them said, “You’d better get moving if you want to beat the storm that’s coming.”
“No problem,” I scoffed as I put on my helmet. “I won’t even get wet. See y’all in the morning.”
I wasn’t expecting this storm until much later, and I had left my raingear back in my tent. As soon as I hit the road I knew how wrong I had been.
Fat raindrops stung my face. I threw on a pair of sunglasses to shield my eyes. The road was pitch black. I could just barely make out the taillights of a car up ahead of me. My ticket back to my campsite.
I’ll just follow his lights, I thought. But suddenly the car turned off the road, leaving me all alone in the dark.
My bike bobbed and weaved as I struggled to stay on the bumpy road. I became disoriented and the terrain got even more dangerous. Rain pelted down, lightning flashed and my confidence crumbled. I needed help.
I stopped my bike, bowed my head and prayed. Dear Lord, I can’t take care of this on my own. I need you. Now.
I heard a sound behind me. A car was coming down the empty road. I decided to follow it. A few times I worried that I would lose it, but each time, the car slowed down so that I could catch up. The driver led me safely back to my tent then continued on down the road.
He must be staying at the same campsite, I thought. I’ve got to thank him in the morning. But just a moment later the car turned around and drove back the way it had come.
I never got a chance to thank that driver in person. But I gave plenty of thanks to the One who sent him to me.
Written by Richard Wingate
