By Laurie Toupin

I was driving my children to go snowmobiling with my husband and the rest of the family for a long weekend. 

As we were leaving, it started to snow. While snow is not unexpected in New England, the severity of this storm caught everyone by surprise. 

Visibility was terrible and people were spinning out all around us.

I became fearful for my children and me, the drivers around me, and the other members of the family who were driving in these conditions, as well. 

But I knew that fear has never helped make anything better, so instead, I reached out in prayer to our Father/Mother/God.

To me, this means turning to God in thought. Sometimes it is a simple expression of gratitude, thanking God for His care and love. Or perhaps I begin with a familiar Bible verse or hymn. Whatever form this prayer takes, it is a recognition that there is a power higher than myself. This helps me focus on God’s love, rather than fear the situation at hand. 

In this case, I mentally asked, “What does God know about this situation?” 

As I did, the thought immediately came to me: “God is not in the snow.” 

This is a paraphrase from a familiar Bible story that tells what happened when the queen of Israel slaughtered all the prophets of Israel, except for Elijah. He travelled to Mount Horeb where he lodged in a cave looking for God’s direction as to what he should do next. While there, “a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”  (I Kings 19:11, 12)

To me, this story speaks of the powerless of loud, “scary” events that appear destructive and overwhelming. And instead, claims the omnipotence — all power — of God, which is represented by calmness, strength, safety, and peace. 

At that moment in the car, I realized I did not have to be impressed by the road conditions. Instead, I could listen for the still, small voice of God speaking to me of His plan, His care, love, and goodness. 

The snow had no power to harm us, or anyone on that road. If God was not in the snow, then it had no power, period. 

When we reached our exit, I put my turn signal on and began making my way to the right lane. There was one car behind me and one on the other side. Just as I began my turn, a truck came speeding past and kicked up snow and slush onto our car. We were engulfed in a wave of seemingly impenetrable water. We were completely blinded for what felt like several minutes. I had no idea where we were going, where the road was, or any other vehicle. 

At that moment, I mentally let go of the wheel and the feeling of responsibility as the driver. I clung to the prayer that had gotten us thus far: God, Divine Love, was in control. 

I felt our car being gently pushed to the side of the road, safely out of harm’s way. When our windows cleared, we were on the exit ramp, unharmed. 

We immediately thanked God for His protection for both us and the other cars on the road. 

As we did this, a plow truck appeared up ahead and we were able to follow him to our destination.  

God wasn’t in the snow, but He was and is all around us, keeping us safe in every situation!