God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1
And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the son. — John 14:13
It was a cold December evening in 1976. Snow still covered some of the ground. Low gray clouds had hidden the sun all day. Darkness was only minutes away. I was five-to-ten miles east of Big Springs, Texas, driving on the interstate.
Suddenly the rear of the camper truck started to swerve. A tire was going flat. I wanted to get it jacked up quickly before it went completely flat so I drove through a shallow
ditch and up onto the shoulder of the access road. Air was still coming out of the tire as I jacked it up only to have the truck roll forward off the jack. My second attempt resulted in the truck rolling backward off the jack. By this time the tire was completely flat. I blocked the front tires with rocks, jacked it up one more time, and removed the lug nuts. The tire would not budge. The rim had rusted to the brake drum.
I crawled under the truck and beat on the rim with a rather large hammer, until I was exhausted. I lay under the truck trying to gather strength and new ideas on tire removal until the cold damp ground motivated me to crawl back out. Darkness had fallen. Civilization was a soft glow in the distance. I was alone.
While on my knees behind the truck I was reminded of some scriptures I had read. I bowed my head and pleaded with Heavenly Father for help.
I crawled back under the truck with renewed strength of body and faith. I extended my arms to gently touch the rim with the hammer to make sure I was in the proper position. As I was slowly pulling the hammer back, gathering all my strength for that final mighty blow, the tire fell off.
I made it to my destination. The Lord kept me safe during my journey but certainly taught me a lesson I will never forget. — LaVonne O. Cantrell, Ava, Mo.
"Living by the Scriptures" is another in a series of Church News reader response articles. Was there a time when a particular scripture touched you, when it offered comfort, guidance and much-needed support? If so, please describe your experience in 250-300 words, giving the scripture reference and telling how it affected you.
Send your submission to Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Fax No. (801) 237-2524. Internet E-mail:
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