If you haven't read part one yet, I encourage you to read that blog first so that you can fully understand this story! Here is the link: http://erinfritz.theworldrace.org/?filename=the-priceless-possession-part-one
For those of you that already have, here is where it gets intense!
Heith began to walk out into the middle of the road to grab one of my shoes. As I held the headlamp on the item, neither one of us were aware of what was going to happen next. Suddenly, bright lights started to become visible and the sound of an engine became louder. With a loud shriek, I yelled at Heith which caused him to jump backwards. He was literally milliseconds away from getting hit by a car. My mind immediately shifted and I felt like everything that was going on was surreal. Pushing aside what had just happened, we piled back into the van with tattered things in our hands. The scene replayed vividly in my mind. The extent of the seriousness of what had just happened didn’t truly hit me until later on the evening during our nightly session of feedback with the team. I began to cry and realized that I needed much prayer to get the vision out of my head. Although I’ve always known how valuable life truly is, it hit me harder in that night than it ever had before.
Although I’ve only known Heith for a couple of months, I couldn’t help but think of how I would feel if God hadn’t been there to protect us. The bond I have been able to build with Heith and those on my team have been invaluable and I love each and every one of them like family. I felt as if I would have never been able to forgive myself if anything worse had taken place.
Yeah, this is normal for him…
Over a week’s time of processing, I learned so much from one backpack full of monetary-valued items falling out of a van. Most of these lessons were reinforced from past experiences and from what I already know, but God put more emphasis on the priceless gift of life for me than He ever has before.
- I learned that “things” don’t matter. They have a monetary value, but don’t define who we are. That backpack, laptop, kindle, etc. can all be replaced and regardless of any sentimental pictures and documents, NONE even come close to the value of a life.
- Life is precious. The people around us can never be replaced. Embrace them while you still have the opportunity to. Heith is my brother in Christ and He has been placed on my team for a very obvious purpose; He is life-giving and encouraging in scripture and intentional in bringing out the best in those around him. Our team is blessed to have him around and I’ve realized we must not take people for granted!
- Don’t let the little bumps in the road get you down. Trust that there is beauty in the breakdown – Good can come of any situation. Maintaining a positive attitude in a difficult situation allows room for lessons to be received which gives way for personal growth.
- God uses difficult situations to teach us valuable lessons, even when it has the potential to hurt. With the vision of the car running repeatedly through my mind, I felt terrified, but God used that situation to strengthen my trust in Him.
- Let go and let God. Releasing control in situations we already have no control over allows us to be broken free of the chains we are held down by in times of stress, worry, fear, etc. Allowing God to take over my heart instead of releasing the response of what the world deems as appropriate, gave no room for overwhelming emotions to unveil themselves.
- Allow God to speak to you in times of turmoil. The Lord calmed my spirit as I was walking up to gather my belongings. I also felt peace and comfort once I gave up the stressful vision of Heith almost getting hurt to God.
- Be intentional in responding to life’s various situations. You have the opportunity to impact those around you positively or negatively in the way you respond in stressful situations. Choose wisely and seek God’s wisdom. The way the Spirit worked through my team and I that night, not only spoke to each of us as invididuals and to my team as a whole, but also to our ministry contact. He later shared that in that moment, He was ministered to and learned lessons he wouldn’t have learned if it hadn’t happened.
- God is consistently in the process of changing and refining who we are. A year ago, I would have reacted like a 5 year old kid whose Mama didn’t buy her the lollipop in the grocery line. Fortunately, God didn’t even allow me to force it!
Ultimately, God taught me the importance of life.
We must not take it for granted.
The belongings we have will never amount to the time we are given to spend with those we care most about. Don’t forget to tell the people around you that you love them. Don’t forget to love on your family, friends and strangers whenever you are given the chance. Even when we become upset, angered, offended, frustrated with others, we must not give way for negative reactions that will poison the relationships with the one thing that matters most…
People.
With that being said, to my family, my friends, my supporters, my team, my squad; To the people I will meet and to those I have lost contact with; To all of you – my brothers and sisters in Christ:
I value you more than you will ever know or understand. I love all of you dearly and hope that you understand the place you hold in my life. You are invaluable. You are priceless. I am thankful beyond what words can even express that God has created you as you. Through good times and bad, I pray that God never allows me to take any of you for granted.
As corny as it sounds, YOU are a priceless possession! 🙂
