Saturday, February 27, 2010

Filed Under Grace - Documenting Answered Prayer


Ktinajoy over at The Joy Walk (click for her Twitter and her blog) had a beautiful blog carnival idea and I immediately thought of a blog post I did on July 14, 2008. I'm reposting it here. When I wrote this post I was almost six months pregnant.

I Believe There Are Angels Among Us

I drive to and from work on the same county road five days a week. I'm used to this road and am fairly comfortable with it. Only fairly, because two years ago I blew a tire taking one of the "S" curves and ended up in the ditch. So, while I still drive the same route, I've developed a healthy respect for it. I tend to go less on "auto-pilot", especially when getting close to the area where I had my incident.

On Saturday, two curves past the curve where I had my accident, I hit two kids that were on a four wheeler while driving my car approximately 45 miles per hour. I was going around a curve and saw them exiting their neighbor's driveway. I remember seeing them, moving my right foot from the gas to the brake (as sometimes people pull out without looking) then registering that they were not going to stop. I slammed on the brakes, cranked my steering wheel to the left and prayed "Please God". Then I felt a sickening THUD.

The next thing I remember is standing on the side of the road, looking for them. I don't remember stopping my car, putting it in park, or making it across the street. (Good thing there wasn't another car coming or I'd probably have been next.)

Luckily, both boys are fine. More than fine. They are great. The smallest of the two went in to the hospital for observation because he said his tummy hurt. They kept him just to be safe and he was home by noon the next day.

I, however, am not so fine. I can't stop thinking that I could have killed those kids. It doesn't matter that I was not found at fault. It doesn't matter that they pulled out of the driveway without stopping and that I did the best I could. It doesn't matter that the sheriff AND family complemented me on my quick reaction and let me know that my reflexes probably saved both their lives. It doesn't matter that they should NEVER have been on the road in the first place. All I can think is that I COULD HAVE KILLED THEM.

If you look at the road, you can see the skid marks. It is really creepy. Brad and I have driven past them three times since it happened.

I remember thinking "Please God" at the time. I didn't even have the chance to complete the thought, which was "Please God, don't let me hit them." I heard the thud and realized I had.

Maybe what I really meant was "Please God, let them be ok." Either way, I'm really glad He heard me. When you drive past the boys' house, you can see one of those big wooden playground sets in their front yard. I'm so grateful that they are still around to use it.

So, other than the nightmares where I hit them head on instead of just a glancing blow (and the ones about going to their funerals), embarrassment of having the entire town know that you are the reason the town siren went off and summoned the first responders, or of having a giant rubber tire mark down the side of my car from where the four wheeler bounced off of it...life is good. I'm betting in the next day or so I will start seeing the glass half full...and that it really could have gone horribly wrong and didn't. Someday, I might even be able to give myself a pat on the back for a job well done. I do know that if those boys and I have angels, they should get paid overtime for this one.

My son is now 15 months old. I still drive the same road, twice a day going to and from work. I still exercise caution around the same curves.

What has changed for me since I wrote for this post? I now know that God was truly looking out for those boys, for me and for my unborn child that day. I have been able to move past my feelings of anxiety about that day.

Ironically enough, I can now be grateful that *I* was the one that was there that day. So many people speed on that road and it is dangerous. I am careful on the road because of my experiences on it. My caution that day probably saved their lives. I can't even think of what might have happened if someone else would have hit them that day.

...and now I finally am able to give myself a pat on the back for a job well done...knowing all the while the One that really deserves the credit.



7 comments:

Kristina Joy said...

So grateful the kids were OK. Isn't it amazing what comes out of our mouths at times like this?

My husband and I went in the ditch with our 3 day old baby (now 9 years ago) and my mouth instinctively called on the name of Jesus. We were all fine - and made it to church only a few minutes late that day!

Thanks for sharing.

MisAdventuresofMomof3 said...

WOW! What a terrifying moment for you - wow! The Lord is amazing!!! It just proves that everything in life happens for a reason.


Happy Saturday - just wanted to let you know I have a blog award for you -

Misadventures Of Mom of 3

Amanda said...

Wow. Jo... wow!! You have been through SO much girl!! I am so so glad those boys had not a scratch on them... but I think I would be a bit terrorized... you seem to be handling it WAY better! :) (I know 15 years is a long time, but still...)

You are amazing!
Amanda

Anonymous said...

Wow. How terrifying.

Tatiana said...

Wow. I can totally understand your guilt and yet your gratitude. This is so scary for all of you involved.

Sunshine Mama said...

wow. Never knew that story. I'm glad you were driving that day too.

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