Crash

Crash

No matter what may come my way, my life is in your hands.

I know that I can make it; I know that I can stand.

With Jesus I can make it, my life is in your hands.

That song has so much more meaning to me today than it did last week.

I have pondered whether I should share this story. Over and over it goes in my head. So today as it was going round and round like the hamster in the wheel, God said, yes! Now is the time. Tell it.

About a month ago I was driving on my way to work. The roads were terrible. It had rained with ice and snow, but we had school/work anyway. As I was driving, God speaks to me and said, “Can I use you?” So of course I said yes! Then He said “Can I use you in a car accident?” Can I crash you if it is to help a friend?

John 15:13 (NIV)

13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends



So I barely hesitated, because He has already showed me my end. I live a long life. So of course I say yes. Use me.

Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit

So I brace myself because our conversation was so real. I knew it was coming. I even called a friend and told her if she heard I was in a wreck not to worry. I would be OK. So I made it to work all in one piece! A friend reminded me of the story of Abraham and Isaac and the sacrifice. Maybe God was just doing that to test me, to see if I really would do it. So a couple weeks ago I was coming home from work. It had been a very trying day. You see with my new job I have to look in the faces of cancer patients or their loved ones on a daily basis. This particular day was no different. I was feeling pretty defeated. Helpless to help anyone! I ask God many times, “why”? I know I must have unresolved issues that He is bound and determined to get out of me. I know that’s one. There are more. So on this day as I was driving home, I hear that still small voice say, “Remember when you said I could use you? Well here’s the perfect place. Just drive yourself right over the mountain.” Well I did consider it, but only for a second. I did question God. I said, “Really? You are going to make me do it?” Well I didn’t drive off that mountain. The next day I recognized that voice as the devil. I know God wouldn’t tell me to do it. He would do it! He already asked me if He could. But just between you and me, those two voices in my head? They sound a lot alike. A friend told me once that the way you can tell the two apart is to ask, does it honor God?

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

So I wondered, how would that honor God? It wouldn’t! That would just bring pain and confusion! Lord knows I don’t need any of that! So Thursday as I left work, I had been hurting all day, the old polymyocitis beginning to flare up so I stopped at Rite-Aid and bought a bottle of Motrin. I went ahead and took a dose. Bought a diet Coke and left the lid off so I could “drink and drive”. Halfway home as I made the curve coming over Crag road I edged over to the side on this one lane road, just in case I met a car. The ground was soft and it sucked my back wheel down and it jumped across the ditch and hit the side then did a 180 and slammed me in to the bank. Both air bags came out on the side but not the front~ Thank God! The whole time I was being thrown around I could hear God say, “It’s all gonna be Ok, it’s gonna be OK!” I felt Him there with me and I wasn’t afraid. It was like riding a roller coaster. I shut my eyes and waited for it to end. I kept thinking this is the time. This is it. This is the wreck you asked me about. So after I crashed I was stunned. My head hurt so bad I couldn’t think. But I felt around on myself, everything was intact, no blood. My glasses flew off along with my phone and diet Coke. So before I turned off the engine I did have enough wits to thank God for taking care of me!

Then He started sending His angels to take care of me. Brenda Bryant, someone I went to school with appeared first. Then Jeremy Willis, then Mandy Bryant. All people I knew. God was really taking care of me! He first gave me a dose of Motrin before it even happened then He sends me angels I know!

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

I have no doubt God had his hand all over that situation and every situation in my life, every situation in your life too. He will take this and work something good from it. I don’t know who is in my path from day to day that will need to hear that God delivered me, but I know that’s what I have to tell. This wasn’t an accident, this was God. He asked me, I said yes, and He did it. All in his time. And that is how the outcome will be as well. In his time. Maybe there is someone out there that doesn’t believe in miracles. Or they don’t have enough faith to let God use them. It’s very easy to say no, pick someone else. But if he calls you to it, he will equip you! And if that means crashing into a bank, then do it! You will receive a blessing from it! I have been amazed at the outpour of love and concern for me! I mean after all there are so many that are so much worse off. I went to work the next day, granted I shouldn’t have! I made mistakes, my brain was fuzzy, and I was confused! But with the grace of God and help from my co-workers I didn’t kill anyone I know of that is! Just kidding! God takes care of us every day. The little things we take for granted? That’s God! This morning as I lay in bed my head was spinning around and around; once again that hamster on the wheel. And when I opened my eyes the room was spinning and I had this very nauseated feeling and then it stopped. So I am thinking concussion?! But I don’t remember hitting my head, but then again, confusion. I went on to church and was blessed over and over. God is so good! My prayer for you all this Sunday afternoon is that you, every one of you, find someone that you love, tell them you love them, hold them tight and don’t let them go! Hold them in your heart, because life is too short for unspoken words! Age doesn’t matter. Whatever you are 10, 40, 80 or even 100, if you have something to say, SAY it! Even if you think it’s gonna hurt, get it out and let God deal with it. Chances are everything will be OK! That’s my pastor’s favorite thing to tell you. It’ll all be OK! And in the end, he is right! No matter what we are going through here when Jesus comes back it’ll all be OK. But first you have to CRASH into Jesus, just like I crashed my car! He will wake you up. You might be a little sore after crashing, because He will clean you up and sometimes that hurts. But trust me it’s worth it all to know that your end, my end, THE end, will all be OK! We are going to Heaven, some before others, but we are all gonna get there. And if we have to take a hard knock here and there, it’s OK because He goes with us!

Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV)

17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

He was with me when Danny died. He was with me the many long, hard, empty, lonely days since he died and yes, He was with me Thursday night when I crashed. He is always faithful and always taking care of me. So undeserving but He does it anyway. For that I am thankful! Let Him go with you too, that’s the only way we make it. Together.

1 Peter 5:10-11 (NIV)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power forever and ever. Amen.