It’s OK to Ask for Help (pt. 2)

It’s OK to Ask for Help (pt. 1)
I tend to do things on my own. If I don’t already know how to do something, I do what I can to learn and teach my self to do it. Most have that drive in them to some degree. I am personally a stubborn individual and I can usually learn how to do something for myself. But a large part of learning is know when to ask for help. And, it’s ok to ask for help. 

Continued from the previous blog:
As I got off the exit at Crab Orchard, I noticed snow on the road. All the roads in that area are back roads, but I figured I would be ok since I was in an SUV and there was no ice (or so I thought). As I continued down the road, more and more snow covered the ground. I looked down at my instrument panel and the temperature had dropped from 25 degrees in Knoxville, to 12 degrees. So, my hike was going to be a bit colder than I expected, but I was prepared. I was layered up and I actually had hiking boots on instead of my Chacos. I finally reached the turn off onto Black Mountain road. The drive had been uneventful and absolutely beautiful. As I turned onto the road, I noticed that the incline was steep and I still had two miles until I reached the trailhead. But, I saw tire tracks in the snow so I felt it was safe to proceed. I kept slowly going up the hill, making sure to keep my tires in the fresh snow. I didnt make it far before my tires started spinning out and I started sliding backward down the hill. I remind calm, but I had no control over the direction the vehicle was moving. After multiple attempts at straightening the car up and trying to safely navigate it down the slippery slope, the 2021 Kia Sportage came to a rest on the side of the road. 

There were so many emotions and thoughts running through my head. I didn’t know what to do. Then I realized that the car felt off balance. I got out and noticed that it was indeed leaning at a 35 degree angle. Three tires were on solid ground, with the rear diver tire six inches in the air. One wrong move and the center of gravity would shift and the car would tumble off the road and into the creek bed ten feet below. I started to control my breathing and do my best to think clearly. I did not want to panic. I looked at my phone and I had one bar of signal. The first thing I did was take photos of the car. It wasn’t wrecked or disabled. I guess being a photographer, my first reaction was to take pictures. I then proceeded to call multiple tow services, all which declined my business due to impassable roads or lack of workforce. I started to verbally ask God, “What are you trying to say?!” I was the only person there. I was completely alone. 

It’s OK to be scared

Fear is not an emotion we should shy away from. It’s ok to be scared and experience fear. What you want to stay away from is fear controlling all of your actions. You cannot live in fear, you must face it. Acknowledging your fear is the first step in concurring it. 

Fear had made its way into my heart. I was scared and didn’t know what to do. I was cold (remember, its 12 degrees) and wanted to be out of that mess. I asked God “What are you trying to show me? What are you trying to say?” My goal was to enjoy a snowy hike to clear my head and talk to God. Well, He was definitely trying to communicate, but was I willing or able to listen? 

I called my insurance company because they have roadside assistance. It was my only hope. It took about 15 minutes for me to speak with them and fill out the form on the app (hard to do when your fingers are frozen.) They told me that they would contact me soon with the information of the company that would help and that it was all covered under my insurance plan. 

It’s OK to rely on God

Miracles are the manifestation of God’s power. God only shows up unexpectedly because we don’t expect Him to show up. It’s ok to rely on God. Many times, He is all we have. Relying on God shows that we haven’t given up hope and that our willingness to persevere is strong. God is always there, waiting on us to enter (or re-enter) into a relationship with Him. He desires us to depend on Him, for that brings Him the glory and honor He deserves. That is why we were created, to worship Him. Being in relationship with Him is part of that. There is so much more to what a relationship with God looks like. But that is not what this blog is about. 

As I am complaining to God about my circumstance (because let’s face it, that is when we talk to God the most), a small Hyundai starts to come up the road. They ignore my flagging them to turn around, get up to my car and stop. They proceeded to back down and lost control of their car. Luckily, they were able to stop, still on the road. Inside the vehicle were two men in their twenties. They were wanting to go hiking in the snow as well, but met the same fate as I. 

To be continued…