Sometimes the only thing to do in life is laugh while you are crying… Because there is a little humor in having really terrible luck. Yesterday I could be seen on the side of I-95 North just over the Virginia border, standing next to my car, tears streaming down my face, laughing like a madman. An hour and a half away from a fellow racer’s (Emily Gates) house and six hours away from home, my mom’s car just stopped running. There was no warning, no rumblings, no flashing of lights… just sudden death and a stranded Katie.
The police came, a tow truck was called, Emily jumped in the car to rescue me, and I went with my car to the auto repair shop to wait. The tow truck driver was an older tattooed man who filled the time we waited together with stories of his motorcycle club, how he kicked his wife out of the house that morning, and his high school days. While we waited it started to rain… I am learning that life as a adult tends to hit you right between the eyes.
When Emily arrived to pick me up I resembled more of a homeless drowned rat then myself, but she hugged me anyway and we loaded my luggage into her car. The next hour we spent driving out of the scary part of Virginia towards her home in Richmond. As we got closer we decided to stop for a little Chinese food for dinner. At the time, it sounded like a good way to end the eventful afternoon. We shared some General Tso chicken and talked about how the very best friendships begin under crazy circumstances…
Then…
Emily got the strangest look on her face. I have only known this sweet girl for about two months and this was the first time we have met face to face, but I knew something was not quite right as she headed off to the bathroom. A few minutes later we were standing together outside in the rain, while Emily discarded her dinner into the trashcan in front of the restaurant. I stood calmly beside her holding her pocketbook and patting her back.
The truth is, yesterday was terrifying and discouraging and miserable and encouraging and wonderful all at the same time. People heard I was stranded in Virginia and instantly began working on getting me to safety which was beautiful. The awkward “Hey I haven’t actually met you before now” ice was broken instantly between Emily and I and we will probably be friends forever now… like holding my hand on my deathbed kind of friends…
This morning the band began singing the words “when all is stripped away, I will trust you” over and over. So I stood there crying… because when all is stripped away… that is when he shows me I can trust him… that is when his love for me is most evident. I am not exactly sure how I am going to get home… Or what is going to happen next… but I am certain that whatever happens will be for my edification and God’s glory… and I will trust Him.
All for now…
