Life has a way of getting us stuck — sometimes literally. Over the years, I’ve found myself trapped in mud, blinded by blizzards, and even perched on railroad tracks, wondering how on earth I got there. Each moment was frightening in its own way, but each one also revealed something deeper about God’s presence and provision. In this three-week series, I’m sharing those stories — not just for the drama, but for the reminders they carry: that even in our most helpless moments, we are never alone.

Have you ever gotten your vehicle stuck in mud, snow, or even on railroad tracks? I have — more than once. And let me tell you, those moments are equal parts frustrating and embarrassing. Over the next three weeks, I want to share three of those “stuck” stories, not just because they’re memorable, but because each one has become a metaphor for the times we get stuck in life.

One ministry assignment stands out. We were serving in a denomination that moved its pastors from place to place, and at this particular location, our 12-passenger van was… well, let’s call it “seasoned.” It was old, tired, and definitely not built for adventure. But it was all we had, and it was my job to drive it — picking people up for Sunday School, women’s ministries, youth activities, and more.

There was one family whose driveway tested both my patience and my prayer life. It wasn’t paved. It sat in a marshy area. And the moment moisture touched it, the whole thing turned into a mud pit. Every time I pulled in, I held my breath. More times than I care to admit, I’d feel the wheels spin, the van sink, and my heart drop. Stuck again.

And every time, I’d have to knock on the door and ask the dad to come pull me out. Humbling doesn’t even begin to describe it.

After a few years of this muddy ritual, we were finally able to purchase a new vehicle — a reliable one, one that didn’t sink at the first sign of rain. And just like that, I stopped getting stuck.

What I learned: Sometimes in life, we’re doing the best we can with the “old van” we’ve been given — limited resources, worn-out tools, or circumstances we didn’t choose. We navigate the same muddy paths again and again, getting stuck in the same places and needing help to get pulled out.

And then, eventually, something shifts: a new season, a new resource, a new strength, a new way forward. Suddenly, the places that used to trap us don’t anymore.

For further reflection and study, read Philippians 4:10–19. Journal about how God provided for Paul and how Paul says God will provide for you.