Accident????

On vacation in Lake Tahoe, we were leisurely on our way to dinner to enjoy the company of family, when all of a sudden there was a loud BANG and a sudden JOLT to our car. I turned around to check on the screaming coming from the back seat and was asked; "What happened?!?" Through the shock, I realized we had been involved in a car accident.

As I assessed the situation, it was clear I needed to call 911. My daughter, Sarah, had a large bump on the back of her head. She was crying in severe pain. I stepped outside to find the car that had hit us squished like an accordion. The horn was going off. People were filling the street to see if they could help. We found a trained emergency worker who stabilized my daughter's neck. Someone told me there were no passengers in the other car and the driver was ok. So we prayed and waited for the ambulance.

In the craziness of the situation, I asked myself; "What just happened?" We made a right turn after stopping at a three way stop. The other driver was looking into the setting sun and clearly did not see the stop sign. He came through at about 40 or 45 mph and slammed straight into the back of our car just as we began to accelerate after our turn. My body began to shake as I imagined what might have happened if we had been hit in the process of turning. Our car would have been t-boned. The injuries would have been much more serious!! Immediately, I thought of Psalm 91. It is a psalm of protection I often pray for my family. In verse 11, it says; "For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways." In the middle of the chaos of this accident scene, I felt the peace of the protection of God. I looked at the back of our car to find only a few dents and a bumper in bad condition. We were clearly blessed and protected by God!!! It was so evident and I thanked Him as I prayed.

A few minutes later, as I was waiting outside of the ambulance to find out if Sarah needed to go to the hospital, Laura, my youngest daughter came and tapped my shoulder. She took me to the side and made me aware of the condition of the driver of the other vehicle. At this point, we had been told he was drunk. I looked over to see him sitting on a rock weeping. Laura said; "Mom, look at him. We need to let him know everything is ok." I recognized the compassion of Jesus in her eyes. Sarah had many people caring for her, but this young man was alone and suffering.

When we arrived at his side, I could see his tears and noticed he was mumbling the words; "I am sorry. I am so sorry..." I could not help but rub his shoulder and let him know we were not seriously injured and everything would be ok. Laura and I kept consoling him and I saw his deep pain and bondage.

I am sure this guy did not aspire to be a drunk driver who caused physical and emotional pain to others. He was in a desperate state!! He was hurting and we noticed and cared. Why? Jesus cares!!! If we read the gospels we see the compassion of Jesus both toward the innocent and the guilty.

Was this an accident? I believe it happened for a purpose. It made my family aware of a young man named Mark who is suffering. It is definitely supernatural love that causes me to pray for Mark and care about him as I have suffered personally with whiplash and have watched my family suffer because of his selfish and foolish actions. But, this kind of supernatural compassion is unavoidable when we see through the eys of Jesus.

It was a miracle when we got back into our car and drove off to continue our vacation and eat a nice dinner without a trip to the hospital. But, I am praying for a greater miracle. I pray this young man, Mark, will see God's love and realize his value and purpose in this world. I pray he will understand this was no accident!!!!