The weather was sunny and hot when I got into my car to return home. After driving for 6 hours, I had stopped to visit a friend as I passed through her town. We had enjoyed each other’s company for longer than expected and now I wanted to make it home before dark.

An hour into my drive an alert came over my phone. Unable to stop and check, I wondered what it was for. The answer came quickly as the alert was broadcast on the radio. There was an extreme weather warning and people were advised to take cover. I hadn’t paid attention to the names of all the towns on my route and wondered if I was going anywhere near them.

After several more alerts, I noticed a wall of black up ahead and knew I was heading directly into the storm. There were no nearby exits from the highway. Nowhere for me to stop and seek refuge. I didn’t know what else to do, so prayed for safety and continued to drive.

It didn’t take long for those clouds to release a deluge upon me. Wind rocked my vehicle. Speed was reduced and concentration increased.

Wipers on full speed had trouble keeping the windshield clear. I joined a long line of slow moving traffic, all with hazards lights flashing due to low visibility. My focus changed from reaching my destination at a certain time, to reaching it safely. All any of us on the road at this time could do was stay alert and keep going. Although initially shaken, I remained strangely calm.

As I approached the off ramp for a town mentioned in the alert, the clouds started to break up. The few patches of blue sky ahead were a most welcome sight. I pulled off and parked in front of a small restaurant. As I emerged from my vehicle I saw the most vivid double rainbow I’d ever witnessed, set against a backdrop of blue-black clouds. I thanked God for the visible sign of his protection over me.

After a quick meal, to ensure the storm had passed, I came out to see the sun shining. Downed power lines and debris on the road attested to the damage the storm had caused. I was grateful to have remained safe. I navigated a detour around the worst of the damage and then was back on the highway. Before long the road was clear and dry. The last hour of my trip was completed with the sun streaming down on me.

That night I drifted off to sleep with thoughts of the drive in my mind. I realized conditions in life can and have changed as quickly as they did on this trip.

Sometimes I have ignored the warning signs and others the situation takes me completely by surprise. Occasionally, such as in this drive, it was a bit of both.

I take comfort in knowing that as conditions change, God is with me and will guide me through whatever I encounter. He always has and he always will.