Thwarted Plans

The other day, my daughter and I decided to take a drive to the Oregon coast. We loaded the car with our rain gear, not letting the rain deter us from a walk on the beach.

Gathering all our stuff, we left later than we had planned. The rain steadily fell and the wind blew as we drove through the coastal mountain range. We drove past some tree debris on the road but did not think much of it. Nor did we think of anything when a police car drove by with its lights and sirens on.

We were a little over an hour into the drive. The navigation app reported a crash ahead. When we rounded the bend and saw brake lights, we assumed we were approaching the crash site.

We sat patiently, still not thinking much of the situation. After a few minutes, some cars further ahead turned around. I suggested we turn around and eat lunch at Camp 18, a historic log cabin restaurant we had just passed, instead of waiting to eat on the coast. We had not been to the restaurant in years. My daughter had mentioned she wanted to go back there at some point. I said now might be the best time. We could head to the coast after lunch.

I made a U-turn and drove to the restaurant.

Adjusting plans

Sheets of rain blew down on us as we ran from our car to the restaurant entrance. I told the hostess they may get busy since there was a blockage on the road up ahead. She knew more than us, stating at least a four hour road closure.

The restaurant was warm and beautifully decorated for Christmas. They sat us by a window where we could watch the birds fly to and from several bird feeders.

My daughter mentioned our late departure and the timing of the closure. As we ate, we planned an alternate route to the coast. We decided we would backtrack a little and then head north to Astoria and then south to Cannon Beach, our final destination.

When we went to pay our bill, we heard a couple tell the hostess that a tree fell, taking down power lines on the road to Astoria. That road was no longer open. We also found out the restaurant was running off a generator; they had lost power before our arrival.

Weather not cooperating

The wind and rain were getting worse. Instead of trying to get to the coast by going south, we decided we would head home.

We noticed more tree debris covered the highway than before. The navigation app informed us there was an object on the road up ahead. We drove on but not for long. We approached a line of stopped cars. No cars came from the other direction. We could not see, but knew a downed tree was blocking the road. We had no where to go.

This was by far the scariest part of our journey, as we sat unprotected from the trees surrounding us. Pieces of pine branches showered down with the rain. When we witnessed a tree to the right of us go down, sideways away from the road, I said a prayer for God to place His angels around our car and protect us. I then prayed expectantly, thanking God in advance for getting us safely home.

Time slows down

I do not know how long we sat there before we were able to move forward on the road. We were happy to be moving, even though we were not moving anywhere near the speed limit. Before long, the voice from the navigation app announced “object on road ahead”. This warning now took on a new meaning. Sure enough, we approached stopped traffic. Eventually, an electrical truck passed us. A tree must have recently gone down. We were once again sitting ducks.

My daughter saw on the map there was an alternate route on the side of the main freeway. We did not know if trees lined that route. We pulled up the satellite view of the route as we waited. Although there were trees, there was also a lot of clearing. We decided to make a U-turn and take the alternate route that would take us around the blocked road.

Another U-turn, another route

The alternate route had houses along the road. I have to say knowing there were homes we could walk to, should something happen along the road, gave us comfort.

We took the winding, alternate route. It brought us to the main road, out of the trees, back into civilization and eventually home. Although we did not get to explore the coast, we had a lot of quality time together in the car we might not otherwise have had.

The next day, we read an article that said a large-diameter tree fell onto the roof of a pick up truck traveling on the road we were on, two miles west of Camp 18 at 11:39 am, killing the car’s passengers. A tree crash. Our delay in leaving entered our thoughts again.

We also watched a video online of the coast at Cannon Beach from that day. Had we made it to our lunch spot there, we would not have been able to walk on the beach. The coast had hurricane-force winds that not only made it difficult to walk but raised the ocean level over the beach, also spraying sea foam everywhere.

God is Sovereign

God protected us in so many ways that day. Some we felt in the moment, others we did not realize until we looked back.

As I reflect on this driving adventure I took with my daughter, I cannot help but think about how much it relates to daily living in this world. We make plans. Unforeseen things change them. We take steps to reach a destination and road blocks prevent us.

We see only what is right in front of us on the road of life. God sees beyond the bend; He sees everything. He is sovereign and trustworthy.

Questions to ponder

Do you do your best to enjoy the journey regardless of obstacles placed in your path? When things are out of your control, do you get mad? Are you so focused on your destination or end game that you are missing or not seeing joy in the moment? Do you lean on God when you are afraid, casting your fears upon Him? Do you pray expectantly, trusting God to answer?

Prayer

Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.  I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. 

(Jeremiah 32:17, Psalm 3:3-4)