“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
By now, you’ve likely read or heard about the terrible car accident from 2 weeks ago. The one where I crawled out of the shattered window of our flipped and crushed van. Yes, I was one of 4 Racers riding in the van that morning along with 2 Indian friends.
For the last 2 weeks, I searched for words to describe the accident.
We are ALL alive, still healing, and ALL is well.
Every time, I attempt to write more than that my mind freezes. So that’s where I’ll stop…ALL is well. However, if you’d like more details, many of my squamates shared their perspectives so beautifully. Check out Kaylaynn’s Blog, Dustin Mick’s Blog, Chance’s Blog, or Aubrey’s Blog to read what God taught them through the accident.
For me, I learned about strength. Not about my own strength, but a strength that’s beyond human comprehension. Laying on the ground waiting for the ambulance to arrive I should have succumbed to uncontrollable tears, yet I smiled at the gawking Indians who paused to take my picture. (Seriously, that happened! An old man on a motorcycle, wearing one of those Indian man skirts, took my picture. I waved and smiled at him. He made an awkward face, and drove away.) I also made jokes with my friends as they stroked my hair and held my hands. I was not afraid.
“For the joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10b
“And He said to me, ‘My grace us sufficient of you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions,
in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Now I understand the fullness of these verses. In the midst of the accident, when everything in the 5 senses said I should feel fear, loneliness, and anger towards God, my immediate response was to cling to Him and pray for my friends. In the depths of my soul, I found peace and comfort knowing my God, who dearly loves me, promised that all things work together for good to this who love Him. AND OH, HOW I LOVE HIM. I held on to the joy of the Lord, and in my weakest moment His strength was made perfect.
There was this sweet, young Indian woman who sat beside me while I waited for the ambulance. First, she ripped cloth from her shirt to bandage the wounds on my head and finger, then held my hand, and never took her eyes off of me. At one point tears began gently streaming down my face, she looked at me, smiled, and said in her beautiful lilting accent, “Why you cry? You fine. You fine. Don’t cry. You so beautiful. No, no, no don’t cry. You so beautiful.” Really? She thought I was beautiful. I can’t imagine what I looked like…a gash on my forehead, covered in mud and debris, unable to move because of the pain shooting down my back, and she called me beautiful. So, I cried and laughed and let friends take pictures because what else could I do. She didn’t even know me, but she loved me.
The joy of the Lord is my strength.
God also promised me that the accident will not be the defining moment of my World Race. When I look back on my 11 months, the accident may be an impetus for what God will do this year, but it is not the climax to the plot of the story He is writing for me. When I look, back this will be only a memory, a portion of God’s story. His glory and honor and blessings will be the defining moments of my Race.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you: but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed,
you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13
“But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.”
1 Peter 5:10
Through this accident and in the next 7 months, God’s glory will be revealed. So, when you look for me, that’s where I’ll be…in the midst, joyfully singing His praises when His glory and blessings happen!
Thank you for your love and prayers. My squad arrived in Nepal today. However, I’m not with them. I’ll give you that update in my next post.
Until then…
Love, Love, Love
Kate
