Before last week, I would have never said that I, personally, had experienced a life or death scenario. Now I can.
Preface: I’m going to share with you a sensitive event that happened to me on the field that some may find hard to read. Please read with caution if you know traumatic events trigger you.
So, this is my story. I was standing in the bed of a truck, which is what you do on the Race when you’re driving in other countries with your team (tight spaces + fresh air = good times). We had just left our host home to go to another bible study in the local community. It was less than a 5 minute drive. We get off the dirt rode and hit the pavement, picking up speed. I was enjoying good company with my teammates, laughing at the fact that this is my life, and anticipating the excitement of yet another opportunity to share God’s love with the people here in Zambia. When all the sudden, “CLICK”. The latch holding the metal bar door, which I was leaning on, came undone and down I went, tumbling, rolling, and eventually coming to a stop on the side of the road. I immediately stood up, put my hands on my knees, took a deep breath, assessed myself, and looked up to see my teammates running to me horrified. I calmly said I was okay, clearly in shock, and hobbled to the car. I was taken to the clinic and my wounds were cleaned and dressed. It took my body a good day or so to slow down from the adrenaline.
“I’m okay”, I kept saying to myself. Scraped up pretty good, yes. In pain, yes. Bruised and sore, yes. But okay. No broken bones, no concussion, no life-threatening injuries. But a question that kept rattling my brain was “How was I okay?”
As I sat on the couch the next morning, all I could think about was the fall. Not hitting the pavement, but before then. As the door swung open behind me, all I could remember was how slowly I fell backwards. I fell into the hands of God! There is no doubt in my mind that God caught me. No one can explain how I fell out of a car travelling about 50mph onto a paved road and am only walking away with some road rash. I work in the medical field and I know the injuries I could have easily sustained.
I shouldn’t be here right now. You shouldn’t be reading my story from my point of view. The Lord literally saved my life.
I don’t share this story to scare you. Fluke things happen all the time and there’s nothing anyone could have done to prevent this from happening.
Although it’s no fun to be hurt away from home, I’m being comforted by my Father who loves me more than I can ever love him. I’m sitting in the presence of his unfailing love and am completely humbled by who He is. He didn’t have to save me. He didn’t have to slow me down. But He did! His love for me surpassed the threat of death. I am reminded of how fragile life is and how big my God is!
I may not know the ‘why’, but I do know that I’m alive and breathing. God’s not done with me yet! His purpose for my life is still coming to fruition and I’m excited to see where He’s taking me!
I’m still a little shook up and processing the extent of what happened, but I’m honestly doing well. My wounds are healing and each day is getting better. It’s a true miracle!
I love you guys 🙂
~A
