I have been in the midst of a storm this past couple weeks. Something I will choose not to share at this time because life, too, must go on. In fact, it goes on with or without me. The past couple weeks, it essentially has moved forward, while I have stayed still. Not answering emails. Waiting way too long to return texts and voice mails. Indeed life moves forward full force, for, in the midst of this storm, I got a phone call from my mom –
She and my grandma had been in a car accident. Hit by a drunk driver as they were stopped at a red light.
Let me say first and foremost, that by the grace of God, they were not hurt. They were shaken, we were frazzled, the car is in much need of repair, but their lives, their health, and their bodies were spared. For that we are thankful and forever blessed.
I will preserve their privacy and spare most of the details. I will, however, share that getting that phone call in the midst of an already emotional week almost put me over the edge. I felt like all I had asked that week was “What if?” questions and along comes more. I raced out the door, thankful at least that the accident was nearby so I could be there for support.
But I must have been there for more than support. God wanted me to learn something that night.
As I was standing on the side of the road, waiting for the police to take statements, talking with my mom and grandma, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see the face of one of my neighbors. A nice woman who I mostly saw outside our house. We often chatted in passing; playing with our kids or coming to and from our cars. Suddenly she was there on the side of the road. She had seen me, she said. And stopped.
“You were driving by and saw me?” I asked.
“No.” she said. “I saw you leave your house. You were driving so fast - you never drive like that. I just knew something was wrong… So I followed you.”
Here, I am still flustered and confused. “You saw me leave my house?”
“Yes,” she answered. “I was so worried that something was wrong with one of your boys. It’s just you and your boys, isn’t it? I followed you to see if you needed any help.”
I cannot tell you in that moment how surprised I was, yes, but also how amazed and blessed I felt. In an instant I was in tears for a completely different reason. This woman had seen me race out of my house and took a chance to follow me. To help. Who does that?
In that moment, God reminded me that there are still good people in this world. That yes, some people will hurt you. They will be broken and you can't fix them. They will lie. They will break your heart. They will make choices you have no control over... They will drink and drive.
But, God also put people in this world who are kind. Who are honest. Who know how to love. Who have servant's hearts. Who are a light to those around them.
That night my neighbor, my now forever friend, was a light. A light in my storm.
That night my neighbor, my now forever friend, was a light. A light in my storm.
On a side note: I spent over an hour today answering all my emails. #itsthelittlethings
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Rom 5:3-5)
