Wedding-night Scare

As we celebrated our fortieth anniversary in 2017, I reflected on God’s amazing leading over the last four decades.

Then I remembered how close we had come to not celebrating our first night together. Our marriage journey almost ended before it began.

We had an unforgettable and lovely wedding ceremony and reception that beautiful summer day in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

Then we packed our honeymoon bags into the car and started our journey on the scenic north coast. We were heading to Ocho Rios, which is another special spot on the island of Jamaica. We would have enjoyed the scenic journey if night had not already fallen —a moonless night. We were excited when we saw the Drax Hall sign. That meant we were only a few miles from Dunn’s River Falls and Ocho Rios.

Then it happened! A black cow stepped out of the thick bushes in the dark night just as we were negotiating a corner in the cow’s direction.

As it stumbled into the road, it hit the car on the driver’s side. I froze with fear. To the credit of the young groom, his eyes were on the road and his hands on the wheel. But we know that alone was not what saved us.

God’s promise to watch over us wherever we go and protect and uphold us was tested —and proven. On that and many roads in Jamaica, others had lost their lives in similar incidents. Yet God delivered us.

We rounded the corner and came to a safe spot to offer praise to God for His miraculous deliverance. It also helped to calm our nerves and prepare us to resume the journey. We had much more now to celebrate in addition to our brand-new marriage! I encourage all my sisters who read this story to place themselves in God’s care each time they get in their vehicles to go on a journey, however short it may be.

God’s promises are faithful. I have written “PP” (proven promise) in my Bible beside some of my favorite promises. I am sure you have many proven promises in your Bible too. Mine include Isaiah 41:10; 43:2; Psalm 91:11, 12; Matthew 28:20; and Hebrews 13:5. Let’s memorize and claim these precious, proven promises.

They are awesome!

Claudette Garbutt-Harding