Forever Faithful
Apr 21, 2024 | by The Fellowship
I love my “baby blue.” She is just 11 years young with so many miles yet to live. We have taken road trips together, just she and I, and as I look down my retirement road -- I have always envisioned her carrying me into the sunset.
BAM!!! Just like that! Life happens ... and dreams get dashed.
It was beautiful last Saturday night as I left my friend’s home after a fun time of fellowship with the monthly “Mexican Train Gang.” The crescent moon was shining next to twinkling stars as I headed to my 2013 blue pearl Honda Civic for the short drive home. While traveling down Kingsland in the final stretch just before the Grand Parkway underpass, a speeding flash making a left turn onto the Grand Parkway feeder right in front of me appeared out of nowhere – barreling into my lane that had the right of way. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late . . . BOOM!!! The sound was explosive as my baby blue rammed into the passenger back side of the turning car. In my peripheral vision, the vehicle appeared to fly over me from the impact.
After the dust settled, I sat in awe-filled disbelief – I am not dead, the windshield is not even broken, and the air bags did not deploy! Wow, I am OK! My front teeth are not knocked out! I can open the car doors and look around. Praise the Lord! His protecting angels were all over the situation -- which could have ended so much worse.
Shaking, I reached for my phone and called my son to let him know. It was past his bedtime and turns out he had his settings on “do not disturb.” After several attempts, I called my other son, who I knew was out of town, but I just needed someone to commiserate with me. That reminds me of the verse where the Lord tells me to fear not for I am with you, do not look anxiously around you for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 My Translation) He is my very present help in time of need!
My son answered the phone and listened as I replayed the incident. It was comforting to have him on the other line, even though he was miles away. After hanging up, I kept praying, “Lord, help me” and praising Him for keeping me safe. I did not know what to expect next.
I decided to see if my longtime friend from The Fellowship, whose home I had just left, was up and able to come be with me as I waited for the police to arrive. It was 10:22 p.m., but she was quick to answer her phone and lickety-split to come to my rescue. Friendships are God’s gift to His children - His hands and feet, displays of His glory. (The next day, she notified prayer warriors at The Fellowship and more incense began to ascend before God’s throne on my behalf. I love the way God works through the prayers of His people!)
In the meantime, people began coming up to me as I continued to sit in the driver’s seat of my car. I did not know I was supposed to get out, as I had my hazards on and knew I needed to stick around until the police came. The first two were witnesses to the event. They told me what they saw -- as I silently praised the Lord for their faithfulness in stopping to share their information. Next to greet me was the young man who was driving the other vehicle. Miraculously, he also was unharmed. He gave me his name, admitted his fault, and later let me know he was uninsured. With his cell number in hand, I reached out to him by text -- “God is not finished with us yet!” We sat waiting nearly two hours for the police report to be written.
When my neighbor and my other son heard about the accident, they independently stated their intention to pray that the Civic would not be totaled but restored to its beaming brilliance. Being retired and on a fixed income, I would count this a huge blessing. So far, so good. Insurance agreed to send my baby blue to a local body shop for assessment, rather than assigning it to the tow yard. At this juncture, I am awaiting the findings from my insurance company and equipped with an SUV rental.
Before too long, I will either have my baby blue back in my arms, or if God sees fit ... my dream-come-true next vehicle will be a Ram truck (LOL)! We will see. Either way, I have got my GREAT I AM and He is all I need!
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV