The rented 10-foot moving truck, loaded with my possessions, was ready for relocation from the West Coast to the East Coast. My nephew, Tristan, had flown out to do the driving. Our final task before embarking on the journey was to retrieve the reserved auto transporter for my aging SUV.
Although leasing both vehicles from a well-known company, they declined responsibility for securing my car atop the device or for attaching it to the truck. We were in a bind; I prayed for help.
Tristan figured out how to attach the transporter to the rental truck's towing mechanism. He maneuvered my car up the trailer's attached ramp and onto the threefoot high flatbed carrier. However, he was unsure how to secure the vehicle to the carrier.
A lone employee approached us, offering his assistance -- for a fee. He stated that he had watched others do vehicle tie-downs but had never performed the task himself. Even so, he was confident of his ability to do the job. We had no other option than to trust in the fellow.
'Tony' first checked the towing trailer-to-truck attachment. And then he strapped and chained the car to the carrier. Naturally, I prayed for wisdom for this employee and our safety while traveling.
Once on the road, I frequently viewed the side mirror to check on the car. Despite Tristan never having driven a truck or towed a vehicle on a carrier, he assured me that he could do it. I did not do any driving but prayed constantly.
After traveling through most of Arizona that first day, we stopped for the night at a hotel. It was late, and we were exhausted. Before entering our rooms, Tristan checked over my car, discovering that two anchoring straps meant for restraining the front tires had considerably slackened. He manually tightened them, and we thanked God for His protection.
From that point on, at each rest stop, we checked the straps, cinching them as needed. Four days later, after driving through extreme winds, pouring rain, and stinging sandstorms, we safely reached our final destination.
Many folks were praying for us during this trip. I fully believe God's guardian angels held down the car and kept the carrier steady throughout our long-distance trip. Can you imagine the probable disaster had the car shifted its position as we sped down the freeway or tumbled off the carrier?
He truly is 'my refuge and my fortress.'
'I will say to the Lord, 'my refuge and my fortress. My God in whom I trust!' For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark. You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day; of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.' Psalm 91:2-6 NASB