February 21, 2020:
I woke up Friday morning just like any normal day; but little did I know what God had in store for me. Woke up, showered, grabbed breakfast with my parents, and headed off to class. After class, a friend and I had decided spur of the moment (you know how college kids operate) to head down to Mobile for Mardi Gras and visit a few friends from high school we haven't seen in a while. We argued back and forth before we headed off which car to drive, the car I was driving (my moms BMW) or her car (jeep). We ended up deciding to take mine. Without letting anyone know, we jumped in the car, and were gone.
3 hours later ; 15 minutes from our destination, my life was forever changed.
After receiving a heartbreaking call from my mom, my friend and I were exchanging a few kind words and shedding some tears. Some short seconds later, we were involved in a serious car accident. The BMW we decided to drive was a miracle decision. Had we been in any other car, according to officers, we would not be here today. God made himself present in that decision alone.
A vehicle, two cars ahead, slammed on their breaks, causing the entire line of cars behind them to crash. In a split second, a SUV had rear-ended us, forcing our bodies to shoot forward. As our car got propelled forward, I looked up and saw what appeared to be a man standing in the center of the interstate in between our car and the car we were about to hit. After closing my eyes, getting hit in the face by the airbag, and being blacked out for about 15 minutes; my friend and I opened the car doors and stepped out with nothing but a few bruises, cuts, and a twisted ankle. The first question I asked the police officers when they arrived was "what happened to the man?" , "did i hit him?", "was he okay?"; confused, they told me to calm down, no persons was outside of any vehicle in the process of the crash.
Upon them checking on her and I, they began to go down the line of cars that had began to pile up (3 being behind ours) to check on the passengers. After my realization came back and I had become aware of what had happened, I began to pace down the side of the road.
Watching the officers bust windows to save people. Seeing blood and glass everywhere. Hearing the painful cries and screams of so many. Witnessing people get rushed into an ambulance. I fell to the ground in disbelief, my worst nightmare.
That "man" I saw was no doubt an angel, standing in front of our car to protect us from the worst thing we had ever experienced. That "man" was God. That "man" saved my life. Knowing that 7 others involved were transported to the hospital, but I was walking around, humbled me to say the least. Out of all those cars and passengers, he chose US to walk away. He chose US to continue. He is not done with our stories yet. He is SO REAL and he made himself so evident that night.
My testimony is now beyond all expectations, I am using this as a platform to reach someone who may be lost, questioning who God is, if He is really alive. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you; not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" has always been my favorite verse. Now, that simple verse has an entire new meaning to me.
God is everywhere, if we just look. He makes himself known, if we just look. He is answering our prayers, if we just look.
I, personally, have always struggled with the idea of faith. Believing in something you cannot see. Debating if it is real. But I am still here today, not by accident, but by the Grace of God; ON purpose FOR a purpose. My story continues. That night, he made himself not only felt, but seen. He knew I struggled with Faith. He sent that "man" to save us. He sent that "man" so that I would gain Faith back. Life is so precious, you never know when your day is coming - and btw it is coming soon for all of us. Have faith that he will protect you even when you cannot see him. I urge anyone who may be reading this to build a relationship with God. That no matter what you are fighting, God will win. He will fight your battles, if you ask. He will listen, if you talk to him. He will answer, if you remain faithful. His protection is unmatched. And I, myself, am evidence He is alive. Nothing is too big for him. Nothing is too far for him. No one is too lost to be found.
Airbags can protect, Safe cars can protect, but only God can save.
God bless the reader of this. It is never too late to turn your life around and make the best decision of your life. He wants to live inside of you. He wants to protect you. He wants to show you his love for you. Open your eyes and look around at your own blessings. Never take a day for granted. Life is, oh, so precious.
Amen.
