I sat frozen in the drivers seat, in absolute shock at what had just happened. I didn’t even know what to do. My van automatically called 911 and I heard a voice confirming my location and asking if I was alright. I didn’t know the van could do that. Again, thankful. A couple of people peeked their heads through the broken windows and asked if I was OK. I’m thankful for kind people who care enough to stop. Soon I heard the sound of sirens heading my direction and police and first responders arrived. While I was sitting there waiting, in shock, not wanting to move, I kept looking down to see if I was bleeding anywhere. No blood, not a single cut or scrape, no broken bones. In the weeks that followed I experienced bruising and soreness on my left arm, pretty bad whiplash in my neck, some back pain and headaches. But miraculously, I walked away without a scratch. The only explanation is God’s protection.
God saved my life from that crash and allowed me to return home to my husband and children. This could have ended much differently. It’s not lost on me that many people do not survive rollover accidents. Or they sustain life-altering injury. There’s around a 35% survival rate. God was so merciful to me! The officers and first responders could not believe that I was “OK”. One officer explained that the seat belt saved my life, along with the side airbags, and the fact that my windows were rolled up, and I didn't get ejected. I like driving with the windows down and the sunroof open when the weather is beautiful, but that day, they were all closed. Another example of God’s protection. It also was a side impact, not a front impact, therefore the steering wheel airbag didn’t deploy, which saved my face and head from additional injury. Again, God’s protection. I did end up seeing a doctor and getting a CT scan at the hospital to rule out a concussion. Praise the Lord, the scan was clear and there was no serious long-term injury. All glory to God.
Amazingly, I was able to attend a meeting that was on my calendar that same night and I got to hold my friend’s new baby (I got a ride). The next morning I drove my kids to VBS in our truck. Looking back, that seems a bit crazy. I got back behind the wheel, 24 hours later, and God was with me, being my source of comfort and peace, calming my nerves and fears, even when I was still freaking out a bit inside. I’ve never second-guessed myself and other drivers so much. Busy intersections still make me more cautious. Another miracle, is the fact that one vehicle struck me and no other vehicles were involved - on both sides of the road. The other driver came to a stop on the other side of the median. There wasn’t heavy traffic, but there were still vehicles heading in all directions. I let church know that I wasn’t going to be there because I was in an accident and people started praying for me. A couple of friends on their way to church passed by the accident and asked if it was me. I definitely felt those prayers.
A little back story. Leading up to that Sunday morning, I had been following the Forrest Frank and The Figs collaboration on their new song, “Lemonade”, which has been on repeat ever since being released that Friday. It instantly became a new favorite (me and everybody else). My mind kept replaying the part that says, “He comforts in the sorrow, He’s giving in the loss, He stole the shame I carried and wore it on the cross, Providing me a future and manna for today, Life tried to give me lemons but my Jesus makin’ lemonade”. How good is that? Moments before the crash, I listened to that song four times in a row. Talk about life throwing me some serious lemons.
On Saturday, the night before, a friend sent me a clip of a Pastor discussing Satan’s desire to destroy God’s design for marriage, family, and children. My response was, “The enemy just wants to steal, kill and destroy. God’s way is better.” That Sunday morning, as I was getting ready to serve in the 3 year old room at church, I learned there was going to be a volunteer appreciation breakfast, so I decided I'd arrive at church 15 minutes earlier than I normally would. I left the house 15 minutes early. Why? Why didn’t I just leave at my usual time and stop at the breakfast afterward? I don’t know. I don’t know why that morning, of all mornings, I was driving down the road exactly when I was, just in time to be hit out of nowhere in a crash that could have ended my life. I may never know the answer to that, but God does. I do know that we have an enemy. Satan is real, and his goal is to steal, kill, and destroy. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a. I sincerely felt that Satan was trying to take me out. He wanted to steal, kill, and destroy my life. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
A couple weeks prior, I finished an excellent book, “Your Story Has a Villain: Identify Spiritual Warfare and Learn How to Defeat the Enemy” by Jonathan Pokluda. Maybe it was coincidence, maybe it was preparation. I highly recommend reading it. We have an unseen enemy who is heavily at work in our world. His evil and destruction is on display daily. But the good new is, Jesus has already defeated Satan. The second part of John 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” Jesus offers true life, the enemy only offers death.
God saved my life long before this car accident. I’m so thankful that He is my Hope, my Rock, my Redeemer, my Savior. Even in the midst of having to pick up the physical, emotional, and material pieces. I did not feel like myself for a while after the crash, physically and emotionally. Replaying the scene, over and over in my mind, dealing with DMV paperwork, insurance and medical claims, and facing the total loss of our main family vehicle (it was a really nice van) made me sad and angry all over again. I had to lean on the Lord and trust that He was going to take care of me and work everything out, minute by minute, day by day. He is always faithful. I don’t mean to oversimplify any of this, but all I could do was pray and trust His plan and His timing. And He did work it out, thank you, Jesus. We have a new-to-us van that I’m so happy with, a 2019 Honda Odyssey that I actually like better. Our insurance agents were wonderful and made the process less stressful. Most importantly, this near-death experience made me see and appreciate all that God has given me even more. I’m here for a reason and God’s plan for me isn’t over. Praise the Lord!
We started singing a new song at church, shortly after the accident.”Always on Time” by Elevation Worship, which reminds me of Isaiah 42:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.” The song says, “There’s never been a day, never been a minute, never been a moment that You weren’t in it. There’s never been a time that You didn’t see me through, God, so I worship you.” I have personally experienced the hand of God walking with me in every situation throughout my life. Both the beautiful and the hard times.
If you’re reading this, chances are you know I love Jesus. There’s nothing more important to me than making sure YOU know Jesus loves you and He died for you. Do you know Him? Is He part of your story? Have you asked Him to forgive your sins and be your Savior? If not, what’s stopping you? Don’t wait. You have no idea what today may bring. I'm proof of that. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”" John 14:6. “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Know Him today.
I love you all. Please reach out if I can help you learn more about Jesus or pray for you. God is good. All the time.
