No Accident

I was in a head-on collision on Thursday night, and although very sore and bruised and in a bit of pain, I am fine.

I was on my way home with the trunk full of groceries, and was following a transport truck, which was about 400 feet ahead of me. The roads were clear and dry for the most part, but there was a bit of blowing snow - not the kind that reduces visibility, but the kind that blows across the pavement in waves. I was travelling normal highway speed. . . between 80 and 100 km/hr.

A vehicle approached the road from the left. I saw him clearly, and realized he was turning onto the road. I thought nothing of it, because I was sure he saw me, and that he was turning into his own lane. I had my headlights and fog lamps on, so the front of my car was clearly lit.

I couldn't have been more than fifty feet from him when he turned into MY lane. He simply made a wide turn, and he was right in front of me. There wasn't a thing I could do. There was a loud crash, my glasses flew, I felt my body slam forward, and everything stopped.

The next thing I knew, the guy in the SUV was right beside me. I undid my seatbelt, opened my door, and hollered, "You STUPID! What were you doing in MY lane?" ( I feel very ashamed that those were the first words out of my mouth.)

The elderly gentleman apologized, saying two or three times, "I'm sorry." I apologized for hollering at him. ( I thought of Pastor Bob, my beloved pastor. He would have inquired with a beautiful British accent, "Sir, are you all right?" Out of the mouth the heart speaks, and I was ashamed that my heart was full of anger.)

By this time, the guy who had been following me opened the passenger door, and told me to turn off my car. He had to tell me two or three times, because I wasn't responding well. I don't know why the car wasn't moving...I don't remember putting it in park. I assume it was so badly damaged that it couldn't move. I obeyed the man and turned off the ignition, and asked him to find my glasses, which he did. I asked the old fellow if he had a cell phone, and he didn't, so I asked the other guy to get my purse, and pass me my cellphone, which he did.

I called 911. Someone told me the number of the sideroad, so I was able to give specific directions. I then called Rick. I told him I had been in a head-on collision, that the guy had driven right into my lane, but that I was all right. I then told him I couldn't move (but I meant the car) and he got rather worried at that. I told him where I was, and he said he was coming, in the truck, because he was only about 10 minutes ahead of me. I (silly me) told him not to bother coming in the truck, that I was okay. (LOL - as if a husband wouldn't come as soon as possible when his wife was in a car accident. I guess I was thinking he should go home first and get rid of the big truck and come in the van. I was in shock, shaking, hurting...not thinking clearly.)

The fellow that had been following me asked me if I wanted to sit in his vehicle, and I said yes (after refusing the same offer from the elderly gentlemen - I wasn't rude, but I didn't really want to sit with him.). So I was able to get out of my poor car, and get into the guy's truck, with some help from him. He was very kind. I found out that he lives only a mile from me.The next thing I knew, Mike (Rachel's husband) showed up. He ran to my car, then looked for me and saw me sitting in the truck. He came to me and I was upset, and said "Rick shouldn't have told Rachel - she's PREGNANT!" It worried me that she knew I was in an accident. I would have preferred to tell her once I knew how badly injured I was.

The ambulance showed up, then Rick appeared. They took me to the hospital. I was definitely in shock by this time, shaking like a leaf.They put a collar on me and immobilized my neck and put me on a board. I had waves of pain in my back, neck, shoulders and head. Hospital, x-rays, etc... They gave me a thorough examination, sent me for x-rays, gave me a shot of an anti-inflammatory/painkiller, and finally sent me home.

On the way home, Rick took me by to see my poor car. Front end is gone. Sigh. I am very sore, badly bruised, stiff everywhere. I have pain in my head, neck, shoulders, back, legs, knee. My eyeballs ached a lot yesterday, not so much today. They felt like they were too big for the sockets. I have a homeopathic tincture to reduce inflammation and help with the bruising. I am using Loretta\'s "No-Pain" which is wonderful. I am forcing myself to keep busy as much as I can, and to move my body even though it hurts. The human body isn't meant to go from a highway speed to a dead stop. I am going to be sore for a while.

I have learned many spiritual lessons from this experience.

1. My Father loves me. He KNOWS. He knows the plans He has for me, and is always in control. He designed this experience for my good, and for His glory. He has spared my life, graciously, yet has also allowed me to suffer for a time. He is good, always good, and holy and righteous. I am so very glad to be His child.

2. I have a sinful heart. I repent in dust and ashes. Yet I rejoice that my Father has promised that if we confess our sin, He is gracious and just to forgive us our sin, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. My reaction when the poor old man pulled up beside me showed me that I constantly need the Lord. I am but a sinner, saved by grace.

3. Every day counts. I have no guarantee that my life will last another day. If this is to be the very last day of my life, I want to spend it pleasing Him. I want to live life to the full. I want to rejoice in God my Saviour, and in the people He brings into my life. I want to praise Him every single day, and glorify Him by my actions and my words.

4. Material things don't matter. The car was originally my mother's car, and I was grateful to have it for a time. It reminded me of her, and I enjoyed so many things about it. But, it really doesn't matter. I am reminded that this world is not my home, and I am just passing through. The things I use right now are just things...they won't be taken with me. On the other hand, the people in my life are precious and unique, truly a gift from God. I pray that God will use me in the lives of anyone with whom I come into contact, and that those people that meet me or know me will also see my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

5. My family and my friends love me. I am truly blessed. Two of my daughters, my son-in-law, and my dh came to the hospital to make sure I was okay. They all prayed. My friend Darlene from Woodstock would have dropped everything and come to Stratford if I needed her (Rick assured her that I was fine). I have received phone calls and emails from so many, all of whom are a blessing to me. My heart is full, and I am thankful.

So, there you have it. I am fine, and all is right with the world. I expect I will make a full recovery, and I stand in awe of God who allowed me to have this experience, but also preserved my life. I can picture Him saying to Satan, "you can take her car, but don't harm her". I have a clear sense of His protection and provision. I was in a head on collision and nothing is broken except my car. The man following me saw the whole thing and was able to corroborate my story with the police. (The poor old fellow was charged with failure to yield.) My dh was only 10 minutes away, my son in law was 3 minutes from the crash site. I had a chiropractor appointment for the next day, and she was wonderful and supportive and helpful. The list goes on... but I am too tired and too sore to write further.

Cherish each moment, and live life to the full!

Psalm 91:
14 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.
15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

I know God's name - only because of His grace.

He protects me. He delivers me. I felt His protection and deliverance in spite of the "accident".

He answers my prayers, and He is with me in times of trouble. He never promised that we, His children, would never experience trouble. Yet, in that trouble, He is with us, and answers us when we call out to Him.

He rescues me and honours me. I will be satsified with long life and He will show me my salvation.

God is good, all of the time. There are no accidents.

In Christ,
Janet