The instant our truck started to slide, time slowed down. Would we end up victims in a rollover crash?

The Instant Seared in My Memory
“Send me the link,” I told Laura, happy that she’d found a Black Friday deal on a train set for Abel. Now that the girls have grown up and have their own lives, we don’t get to spend much time together. I sighed with contentment. We’d left early, had a Coffee Friday date, and had plenty of time to reach the airport before Sarah’s flight left.
“On it,” she said from the back seat.
Sarah started to say something, but the instant I heard her voice, the back of our truck slid to the right.
How could this happen? I thought to myself. The road is dry. I lifted my foot from the accelerator and watched in horror as the truck seemed to pick up speed as it spun towards the median.
“Help us, Jesus!” I whispered.
A thousand thoughts crowded my mind, but the thought, “Everything will be fine,” wrapped me like a warm blanket. I hope no other vehicles get in our way. Toyota engineers designed the Tundra for safety. Everyone has their seatbelts on. I didn’t need to check. We always wear our seatbelts. Always.
This will hurt. I can’t believe this. What if this turns into a rollover crash? The roads looked dry and clear.
From Slow-Mo to Rollover Crash
The instant of impact sped time up. I could hear metal grinding on snow. I know we rolled at least once. We slid forever, rocking back and forth. Each jolt slightly less intense than the last.
When the truck stopped moving, we hung upside down in stunned silence for a heartbeat.
“Is everyone ok?”
“Are you hurt?”
“I can’t open my door!”
“We need to get out!”
Seconds later, we could hear calm voices outside.
“We’ll get you out.”
“How many people are inside?”
“Any children in there?”
Kind strangers helped us exit through the passenger door and huddled around us in the sub-zero cold of the median. We assessed our injuries. I had two tiny cuts on my hands. Laura had a small cut on her finger. Sarah had none.
They herded us to a warm truck and waited with us while the police came to file a report. One young man kept returning to our truck to locate our phones, purses, luggage, and essential papers.
Time wavered between fast and slow as we relived the experience, handled details, and consoled each other.
Peace During Chaos
A week has passed since the instant of impact. These things I know:
God is good.
The Holy Spirit feels like a warm blanket during a violent rollover crash.
Seatbelts save lives (and cut down on injuries).
Love hard because it’s all that really matters. Say ‘I love you’ often (with both words and actions).
Life is precious—don’t waste it.
We were created for a purpose, don’t let fear prevent you from finding yours.
God is good.
“I am leaving you with a gift of peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Jesus (John 14:27 NLT)

This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday quick write hosted by Kate Moutang. Join us each Thursday night on Twitter (#FMFParty) for fun and fellowship, then grab a pen and start writing when the prompt goes live!
Anita, so very grateful He was with you all and kept you unharmed. Such a good reminder that our God is with us in every instant!
Amen! I’m learning (again and again) the importance of a daily relationship with God. Not because it provides me with a magic shield of protection, but because when bad things happen, I don’t have to freak out.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…You Won’t Want to Miss the Best Inspiring Fiction Books of 2022!
Amen!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
What an experience. I recognise that phenomena of time speeding up and slowing down. I was in a crash, praying as smoke enveloped me from the burning car in front.A quick thinking lorry driver screechied to a halt and flashed all his lights so that everyone stopped. It was both the longest and the shortest moment of my life, and I still have a life thanks to God’s protection, and that driver.
I’m so glad you came out unscathed! Sometimes, Angel’s work through kind strangers.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 127 Encouraging Words for Caregivers from Psalm 91
And so the Lord did bend to save
a friend I’ve never chanced to meet,
but who always online gave
a wisdom that was sere and sweet.
I would not have known the loss,
but would ken an absent friend
and would have felt the painful cost
of relationship at end.
But here you are, now, safe and sound!
Here you are to testify
that in God’s hand you have been found,
and so, please, why on earth do I
find an echo of my fears
in sudden eyes that hold hot tears?
Thank you for your kind words, Andrew! God has blessed us, indeed.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
Oh wow, Anita. How scary. I’m so thankful all of you were all right and people were nearby to help. And especially for God’s peace.
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Amen!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
Oh, my goodness, Antia! I’m so thankful you and your family are okay! What a precious reminder that when we “need Him” the most, He is right there enveloping us in His peace.
Lisa Blair recently posted…Instant – in the Twinkling of an Eye – Transformation
Amen! I’m grateful we were spared.
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
It does happen in an instant, doesn’t it? I’m grateful you’re all safe and praying that the trauma of it is passing quickly. You’re a very good storyteller! Thanks for sharing!
Shelley Johnson recently posted…Five Minute Friday: Instant
Thank you!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
Oh how scary!! Praise God for his protection over you, and for his peace. I know that slow but fast at the same time feeling and it is quite disorienting. Visiting from FMF#6
Kym recently posted…Five Minute Friday – Instant
Amen!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
Oh wow, Anita, what a scary experience that must have been–and what an amazing miracle that the Lord protected you all from harm.
Amen! God is good!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas
I’m so thankful you were all safe, Anita! I know you are of immense value in your in-person life, but we also need you out here in the interwebs too. 🙂
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Aww, thank you so much for your kind words!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 128 The Best Gifts for Cancer Caregivers aren’t What You Think
Praise God you’re all okay Anita!
And that He had those beautiful strangers there right at that precise moment to help you guys!
Bless you, Jennifer
Yes! God always has his people ready to offer a helping hand (and I hope I’m one of them if the situation were reversed).
Anita Ojeda recently posted…SCH 128 The Best Gifts for Cancer Caregivers aren’t What You Think
Amen! ☺️
What a story and what a testimony. Thank you for sharing it. Thank God you are all well. Blessings.
Dawn Fanshawe recently posted…FMF: Instant – MYSTERIES.
And thank you for stopping by, Dawn!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Two Perfect Inspirational Fiction Gift Ideas for Christmas