John R Williams: Unscathed!

Musical Inspiration for this BLOG:
Mississippi Children’s Choir w/ Bryan Wilson
His Eye is on the Sparrow
(Meant to be played while reading)
Click the album cover to launch the music

Discoveries:

Today I discovered that the hand of God protects us. I was almost killed yesterday. Wait, stop, re-read my first sentence, digest it and then continue. Yes, I almost lost my life. A teenager, driving entirely too fast slammed into the back of my car on the side of a road and nearly killed me. A distraught senior citizen was on the side of the road with a flat tire. I pulled over to the shoulder, turned on my hazard lights and offered to help her. A month ago I ran out of gas and was stranded on the shoulder of a highway and someone took the time to help me so I was decided to pay it forward. I was underneath her car having the hardest time trying to pry out her spare tire. I could not get it to detach. Something inside of me told me to get up off of the ground and regroup, perhaps search for the manual and learn how to remove it properly. A loud screech sounded, I heard screams and all of a sudden a speeding car slammed into the back of my Chrysler jolting it nearly fifteen feet forward thus ramming it into the seniors’ car. If I had still been underneath the vehicle I would have been trampled, the vehicle would have dragged me underneath; I would have been lodged in between the steel and hurled metal. I would have surely died. But I live. I was the recipient of a miracle and so was she; she said I was her angel. I’m no angel, just a decent man trying to walk along the right path. But I do acknowledge the miracle that took place. There’s no other legitimate explanation that speaks to the amazing grace that I was given.

High Points:

In the earlier section, I explained how a few weeks earlier someone came to my aid when I was stranded on the highway. More about that… Quite simply, I ran out of gas. While it would be convenient to make up some elaborate lie about me not having my gas card or me forgetting my wallet I won’t. It was the day before a payday and I had all of $1.35cents in my checking account. I’d spent my last bit of pocket cash on my toddler’s special Friday lunch. He adores going into the supermarket at 6am and choosing which goodies he’ll feast on later. He usually settles on a Granny Smith apple, half a sandwich from the deli, apple juice and chips. On this particular day he also asked me if later on we could go all go to the movies, as a family, because it would be “special”. I made a second stop at the theater kiosk and bought $20 in tickets for a matinee. Fast-forward to the five o’clock stop and go rush hour. We were bumper to bumper, my fuel light came on and truly I thought I could make it. I didn’t. I ended up stranded outside of a church. I was spent. At 33 I was still running out of fuel on the side of the road. How irresponsible; or was it? I reached for my phone but just as I was about to call my spouse one of the church members knocked on my window and asked me if I needed help. I did. He was a weathered man, old-fashioned and somehow knew my plight. I told him I was out of gas; he reached into the back of his truck, pulled out his 5-gallon fuel can and hooked a brother up. I offered to pay him back but he refused, his only request was that I helped someone in need if I feel moved to do so. He said that God would use me to be a blessing to others. I believed him so I made the commitment. So, fast-forward a few months, there I was facing my moment of truth. Would I ignore the signals, speed past this elderly woman who clearly needed help and take the easy route or would I stop and help her and keep the commitment I made? I stopped.

Themes for the Day

·         I live
·         Thank You Lord
·         Under His protection
·         I witnessed a real miracle
·         My work here is NOT done

Low Points:

I spoke to several people about the incident. Many offered kind words and texts offering hope and explanation for the incident. However, a few people disturbed me with their commentary. Many of their responses were so detached from clear thought that I started to question the state of society’s human condition. “I bet you were mad about your car being damaged.” “I’m sure you’ll never help anyone else stranded on the side of the road!” “Next time you see someone in need just let them deal with it.” Really? I was disappointed but I wasn’t mad at all. I felt thankful and gracious to be spared. I wasn’t angry at the driver, I was happy that everyone was still and alive. Have we become too consumed with material possessions and riches that we have lost sight of what truly is important in life?