The entire incident couldn't have taken more than just a few seconds but, at the moment it happened, it seemed like an eternity. Thoughts flashed through my mind at a rapid rate. I was thinking about my family and friends, my church. Would I ever see them again? Would somebody be coming from the other direction whose life would be lost along with mine? An automobile accident is a frightening experience.
I came up over a short rise and then down into a curve where I could see that the road was wet. My speed wasn't that great so I was unconcerned about the wetness on the road's surface. Suddenly that sick feeling overtook me that I was no longer controlling the front drive wheels. They were floating on a thin layer of water, just enough to cause them to break traction with the highway. I was hydroplaning.
I had been in a number of similar situations and had no problem pulling the car out of the spin with no damage being done. This time was different. The car wouldn't respond to anything I tried and I braced my self for the inevitable, the whole time praying that no one else would be coming from the opposite direction. My prayers were answered.
I don't know who invented the guard rail but I wish to thank him for his ingenuity. The guard rail to the left of the roadway saved me from hitting a tree flush. Instead I bounced off the guard rail, hitting the right front bumper first and then the right rear. Being out of control is a hopeless feeling; both in a car and in life. You know you risk destruction, but you pray that you'll survive to try again the next day.
So many are those whose lives are spinning out of control and they ride it out hoping to survive the crash. Be wary of those incidents which cause us to spiral out of control away from God and His will. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit...if they fall away, to renew them again to repentence." Hebrews 6:4, 6 Keep God in control. We never know when we might not survive the crash.