I want to start out with something I hate: dealing with any and all car issues. Whether it’s a nail in my tire, in which I think I at the professional level of finding them, or something more serious like a car accident. Unfortunately, I have had more than my share of car issues in the past month.
Let me start at the beginning: On September 18th, I was in a minor car accident. A car pulled out of a parking lot and we didn’t see each other until it was too late. Since then, I have made some observations about this incident:
First: The next two Sundays’ Scriptures were about the Israelites grumbling in the desert about food and water. They had recent memories of crossing the Red Sea, but here they were complaining. I can see where they’re coming from-we forget how fortunate we are. No one was seriously injured in this accident. I did start having some back pain that night and am still healing from this, but it could have been so much worse. In the other 2 car accidents that I have been in many years ago, I have lost consciousness and was taken to the ER for evaluation. So, I am grateful that I am only dealing with on and off again back pain, but it’s so easy to forget all the blessings we have, including our health.
Second: one of our Bible study sessions was on Matthew 6, which ends in: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Vs 34. It’s also so easy to get started on worrying, especially on the after effects of an accident. I was worrying about my back healing, when my car would get repaired, and whether all would go okay with the other person’s insurance. It is so tempting to try to worry about things that God already knows and is working on.
God’s timing: The girl hit the back part of my car, behind the back tire. If she had hit me even a second before, she probably would have caught my tire and I may have spun out. So timing was crucial. It is also a very busy street and somehow neither one of us got hit or hit another car. We were definitely protected from more harm. I am absolutely grateful for God’s timing on this one. Of course, I could say that I would rather have not been hit at all, but these types of events can make you more aware and appreciative of what you do have and be able to say “Thank you GOD!”
I know there are people struggling with much bigger issues and there are much bigger concerns in the world right now, but sometimes it’s hard to look past our own bubble. Even though not everything is resolved with this accident yet, I can see that I am handling it okay, even if I don’t want to do it. So whatever you may be handling right now, just know that you can do it and God’s got you. And yes, I still hate dealing with car issues.