Friday, January 4, 2013

God Spared My Life!

I should be dead.



Or at the very least in the hospital right now along with my older sister Steph. But I have a miraculous story to tell. One that bears Spiritual Warfare at the very heart of it.

Yesterday, Steph and I went to Panera Bread for dinner with some friends. I had changed my mind at the very last moment to actually go. I had planned to stay home, but decided against it when I realized I needed to pick up some things from the store before Friday.

We weren't planning to stay at Panera Bread past seven-thirty. We had music to practice for our parent's 25th vow renewal ceremony/celebration on Saturday. But we stayed later and then at the last minute decided to take one of my best friends, Rachelle, home after we had hit T.J. Maxx (another last minute decision) the library, and Walmart.

These details may seem trivial, but it all played a part in the story. In order for Rachelle to ride in Steph's car we had to put three heavy-duty card tables, for the party, in the trunk. It was tricky fitting them in there, but we managed to get them in the trunk.

We spent more time in T.J. Maxx and Walmart than all of us had anticipated. I couldn't find the particular gift card at the 'old' Walmart in Columbus that I needed. Frustrated, I told Steph and Rachelle that I'd just get it at the newer Walmart out by the highway.

We dropped Rachelle off at her house and then headed to the newer Walmart. We met up with Mom there and almost took Samuel  home with us. Once again, it took me a while to find the gift card, but I finally found it and we left for home.

During the drive, I worked on Christmas gifts while Stephanie practiced her speech for Mom and Dad's party. We had found it interesting that every time she came to the part of sharing the gospel she always blanked out. This continued all the way to Columbus and back. She told me, "Haley, Satan does not want me to share this."

The road from Columbus to our house is a dangerous one in the winter. Especially on a particular stretch known as Beck's Grove. We had come through there before just fine. Yes, there were patches of ice, but we had made it safely the first time.

While we were on this road Steph was practicing her speech once again. She was at the part of sharing the gospel when all of a sudden we began fish-tailing. Now Stephanie is a safe driver. I feel safe whenever I am with her.

But whenever the car started twisting, it seemed to go berserk. Steph said, "Don't worry, Haley, I got this," remembering Dad's instruction.

No matter what she did it was worthless. The car was headed for the left side of the road where a deep, wooded ravine seemed to be our destined doom. All of a sudden the car was turned around and the next thing I see is a white embankment and a tree coming at us. Stephanie shut her eyes through the whole thing, but I kept them open the entire time.

I remember screaming and hearing Stephanie scream. We slammed into the embankment and I thought that would be the end of it. I remember thinking, "God, I'm going to die today." But next thing I am being flipped upside down. I hear a loud crunch and screaming. I remember hitting the door, but I didn't feel it. While flipping, both of us felt like someone was holding us in a tight, comfortable embrace. We had our seat-belts on, but it was a stronger grip. Even when we were rolling we felt as though we were swaddled with soft pillows or something. There were angels holding both of us, I am sure of it.

All of a sudden I was suspended in midair by my seat-belt. I suddenly realized that I was repeating, "Oh my God" over and over again. I couldn't figure out where my seat had gone. My door looked odd and I couldn't figure out how to get out. All I could think of, was my sister dead?

I unbuckled my seat-belt somehow and softly landed on the 'floor'. I later figured out that it was the cracked windshield that I was sitting on. The first thing that Stephanie thought when we stopped was, "Shut the car off." Then she thought of me. She thought she had killed me or impaired me and I was in a bloody mess. The first thing I said was, "Are we still alive?" She assured me we were very much alive. We were both turned around mentally. I grabbed her arms and she grabbed mine. I said, "Steph, we need to pray!"
She started praying and I interjected, "Thank you God for saving us!" She stopped me and said, "Right now is not the time to pray. We can pray later. We need to get out of the car." I collected all the necessary belongings and placed them in a Walmart bag. That is, after I found my shoes.


We crawled out and heard a man's voice asking if we are all right. Steph answered "I think so. I don't feel hurt, but I need to call my dad."

I looked at the flipped car and thought, "There is no way we just made it out of there alive. No way."
The man's phone didn't get signal in the spot where we were. He told us we needed to call the police.
A county water utility truck stopped and the couple both had cell phones. The man used his to call the police and the woman let Stephanie use hers to call dad.

The couple from the water utility backed up and sat farther down the road with their flashers on. Dad would be at the crash site in roughly thirty minutes. The man who had first stopped told us, "Why don't you come and sit in my car where it's warm?"

We numbly got in. It was a good thing we did because I was starting to slip into shock.

Aaron was the man who let us sit in his car and he told us some of his crashing experiences. He didn't even live in the area. The only reason he had been down here was to get his birth certificate for a job in another city where he lives. We told him that God had orchestrated the timing perfectly.

The first volunteer policeman got there and we got out. He asked skeptically if we were the ones who had been in the car wreck and if we were hurt. Steph told him, "I don't think so. I don't feel hurt. I'm just shook up."

The policeman shined a flashlight in her eyes and asked, "Are you sure?" She reassured him.

Dad showed up along with more policemen. We went through the whole process of registering the car and all that. Nobody could believe that we were the two who had been in the car wreck.

Those tables I mentioned that we had put in the trunk? I shudder to think what could have happened if they had been in the back seat!

Stephanie's huge glass water bottle had landed above her head and all that had happened to it was the lid came off and the water spilled out. I later reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a Starbucks Mocha glass jar. It was not scratched or cracked. I could hardly believe it.

Mom arrived and charged up to us crying. We put our arms around her and reassured her that we were okay.

We were all heartily astonished when after the wrecker had turned the car over, the car started. Then Dad drove the car all the way home! Stephanie fell apart at that point. She could not believe it. I put my arms around her. I felt like giggling. I didn't feel like crying at that moment. I wanted to laugh exultantly because my God had conquered the demons who wanted us dead. I told Stephanie that I was going to mention what had happened before she gave her speech on Saturday. There is no way I can't. We all agree that what had happened to us was a direct attack from Satan, but God had intervened and had an army of angels all around us.

Fuzzy picture taken from Mom's cell phone camera

We are both sore and I found out I had a minor concussion and a cut on my foot, but other than that and being traumatized I am extremely glad that I am alive. I honestly thought that my life was going to end last night. God spared my life. I cannot tell you how grateful and humbled I am to know that the Lord has a specific purpose for me. I have come to the realization through this whole situation that God has me in the palm of His hands. Life is precious. Value it. Don't squander away your days. Enjoy them. Live them to the fullest. Fill them with things that have an everlasting purpose.

Note: To read Mom's account, read the post The Car Wreck on her blog.



22 comments:

  1. I am SO glad you're okay!! *hugs tightly*

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my goodness! I am so grateful that you both are ok. Praise God! I am heading to your mom's blog now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am grateful I am alive! The Lord had His angels all over us and the car!

      Delete
  3. God is SOOoo good!!!*hugs* I love you all and I'm just sooo glad God spared your lives gave you a victory over the devil:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes He is! I love you too. Yes! I serve an awesome God!

      Delete
  4. So glad to hear God's angels had their arms around you in this mess! You all are so precious to us and we thank God for His perfect protection!
    Sorry to miss the anniversary party but we need to get together ---- when the snow clears!!!!!
    Love to all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm still thanking Him! I don't think I will ever quit thanking God until the day He calls me home.

      Hey, if the roads are bad do NOT travel!
      Love you guys!!

      Delete
  5. Whoa! The story is twice as awe-inspiring when I read it from your point of view! Every time I hear about this incident I am moved to pray and thank God. He's just so amazing! We're all so thankful you and Stephanie were unhurt!

    Soli Deo Gloria!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Probably because I was there. :P Every time I think about it I thank Him!
      Aye, He is! I'm privliged to serve such an awesome God!

      Delete
  6. PRAISE the LORD for HIS protection. HE is ever present in time of need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Praise Him indeed! He is definitely omnipresent!

      Delete
  7. I'm SO glad I decided to even go to Panera, and also decided to have a ride home with you guys, instead of being picked up! I'm So Happy You're Alive!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! You are one of the many angels in disguise!

      Delete
  8. Oh Haley! Is that really your car flipped over? Oh my word, I am so happy you are alive. Praise God! I love you Haley! I love you and love you and love you! Praise God. I could write 50,000 words saying I love you and our God is awesome! Praise the Lord! If I could give you 50,000 hugs, I would.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes. That is really Steph's car! I am too! I love you too!
    An air hug will have to do! :) *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *hug* *hug* *hug* *hug* Will four do? Of course not! *Hug!*

      Delete
  10. PRAISE GOD!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Were so glad your both OK. we all freaked out when Mom told us. Haley was teary eyed, and when Emily called, she was pretty shook up. Mom prayed with her while we were all praying ourselves. Praise God Your both well!
    love your lil sister,
    Aubrie

    ReplyDelete
  12. WHHOOAAA!!!!!! PRAISE GOD! THANK GOD! It's great to know that your life has been sustained sister!
    From the beginning of your Regeneration, you were already taken in to a safe place. Read Psalm 91....over and over again.
    I just got done seeing a gif on Google+. Some guy was coming by on the right lane real fast, while another car was just turning. The incoming car devastated the entire left rear of the turning vehicle. Before that crash, there were three people walking across the street, it was their turn. As the totaled car came spinning, the trunk door was flapping open, like a monster chomping down on it's pray, and the lower edge nearly sliced the closest person, which was a lady. When it halted, the left side tapped the same lady, her foot got caught a little beneath the car, but she was safe and went limping away.
    That car would have decapitated her, and smash her completely. If you were to run a computer test on the speed of the incoming car, the force of the impact, and the force driving the totaled in circles....that lady would be dead, and the other two potentially injured.
    At that moment I could imagine an Angel just reaching out his hands and catching the car at that moment, shielding those people.
    So if you wonder if God works in mysterious ways....he also works in marvelous ways.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen!
      Oh, wow. That is incredible! Wow.

      Yes. Ooooh yes, He does! :)

      Delete
  13. WOW! AMAZING!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!

    ReplyDelete

I love comments! Share what's on your mind, but be respectful please. :)