The long trek to any hope of deliverance takes Mandy headlong into the strength of the mixture of icy snow. A strong arctic wind pushes back against Mandy’s efforts to move forward as well as hurl the ice packed pellets of snow stinging into her face.
Mandy’s fashionable boots are no match for the depth of crystalline snow that blankets the bank of the ditch her vehicle slid into. Mandy’s feet are drenched. The soles of those boots cannot grip the surface and not once, not twice, but three times before she reaches the road she falls face first into the bitterly frost crusted snow bank.
Mandy’s finger tips ache beneath her ice soaked fur lined pleather gloves. On one tumble, her beautifully knit hat fell from her head a split second before her hand landed on it pushing it into the freezing mix.
With each beleaguered step down this dark and lonely road, Mandy regrets her decision to take this short cut to make up time for being late to this holiday party. The main road may have been less snow covered due to more traffickers. The wind blows heavy. The hard snow runs straight towards her.
The universe most definitely wishes to torture her. This thought plays over and over in her throbbing head. The many stupid decisions – the short cut, the wrong boots, the dress and not pants, a more attractive coat, and the rush out leaving her cellphone charging at home instead of available in her purse.
Tears of frustration and disappointment layer on top of a watery pool from stinging cold and blinding snow. Mandy keeps moving. Mandy can no longer feel her fingers and her feet are feeling numb. The voice of the t.v. meteorologist saying only get out unless you must playing over and over in her head.
After what seems like hours, Mandy’s brain and body debate the sensibility of continuing this trek. At one point, her mind questions whether or not she’s headed in the right direction. Every system in her body is weakening from minutes of maximum output.
Is that their home ahead or my eyes playing a cruel trick? Mandy comes to the end of the host’s and hostess’ driveway. It seems longer than she remembers. As she trudges up the driveway, there are no cars. There are no tire tracks. Is she the first to arrive? How can that be?
A dog barks once. Mandy hesitates but only for a second. The dog barks again. With each step Mandy takes, the dog increases the barking cadence and volume. A porch light comes on. The dog’s barking becomes rapid and frantic.
Mandy reaches the steps to the porch, but her tired achy legs can barely rise high enough to advance the next step. There is no more sensation in her feet and hands. She falls and then everything goes completely dark.
Mandy can hear voices. It is difficult to focus on what they are saying. She hears one echo-like voice tell her to stay awake. Help is on the way a voice assures as they throw a blanket around her and help her up the steps into the house.
Mandy smiles as in her head she hears Toby Mac back up singers repeat those words, “Help is on the way.”
“Rounding the corner,” Toby sings.
“Help is on the way.”
“Comin’ for ya.”
“Help is on the way.”
“Yay, yay. I’ve lived enough life to say, ‘Help is on the way.’”
https://TobyMac.lnk.to/helpisontheway
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Categories: Devotional Enduring hardship
Douglas Knight
I have the rich life full of a sinner wounded by misunderstanding and punishment but blessed by mercy and forgiveness.
Knight Writer 
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