We were driving along I-95 in the rain; the road slick and shiny beneath us. We were on our way to Augusta. Each time a car or truck would pass, tiny streams of surface water would splash against the contours of the car; sometimes reaching upward and onto the windshield. It was hot and steamy that night, necessitating the use of my car’s defroster. My sister and I were deep in conversation, attempting to solve all of life’s mysteries, including the existence of God. The music from the radio was soft and familiar, and from time to time, we would stop conversing just long enough to sing along tenderly and off-key; switching back to sister-talk without missing a beat. We were exhausted from the drive but content to be together; journeying off to the state capital on a foggy summer night.
From nowhere came a white, well illuminated truck; tires slicing effortlessly through the wet surface of the road. As it pulled up beside us, the huge black letters, in absolute contrast with the exterior of the trailer, spelled out G.O.D. We were unable to speak, with the exception of a long, drawn out “Wow,” and we looked at each other with eyes of disbelief and awe. “Wow!” we said once again as the truck pulled away from us and into the deep, damp night.
“Did you see what I just saw?” I asked Lisa. She shook her head yes and stared straight ahead, her mind dancing with the significance of the moment. We had just been speaking of God and his existence when the truck appeared with a message that was clear; not to mention well timed. In our minds, there has never been a doubt that God, our Creator, exists. This was just confirmation in an unconventional way.
We checked into the hotel in Augusta, threw our bags on our beds and sat in silence for a while. “You do know that was just a General Overnight Delivery truck, right?” I waited for a response. We broke out into nervous, tired laughter then; our hearts still beating just a little too fast. “Of course,” my sister said. “It was just sort of startling, don’t you think?”
I agreed with her and we busied ourselves with putting our things away before settling in for the night. As is customary for me, I got up well before dawn and wandered around the room quietly; checking to make sure everything was in its place and that all was well. I went to the large wall window, pulled back the curtain just a bit, and surveyed the parking lot. My car was safe in its space; the chrome trim glowing under the moonlight. I settled back into bed, looking over at Lisa, who lay sleeping peacefully. From the moment she was born, I have found great comfort in the sound of her breathing; now more than ever.
According to my research, the G.O.D. trucking company is no longer in existence. I have encountered their trucks several times after that surreal sighting on I-95; including passing one of them on the side of the highway, covered with the brown sugar snow of early spring. Lisa and I reminisce often about that summer night and the majestic G.O.D. truck that rumbled through the mist; granting us a timeless lesson in the divine.
Belinda Wilcox Ouellette lives Connor TWP with her husband Dale and their Goldendoodle Barney. They are currently working on building a home in Caribou. You may contact Belinda online at: dbwouellette@maine.rr.com.
