I Never Knew That Was in There

One of the areas I need to work on, is speaking before really thinking. I'm sure I'm not the only one out there with this particular issue, but that doesn't make it right now, does it? One thing that I do that drives Derek crazy is I sometimes have a way of saying "I TOLD YOU SO", but not in those exact words.

Well, I was doing my daily Bible reading the other morning and came across a most interesting Scripture. I am reading the Bible through in the New Living Translation, and it is amazing what I am seeing because I am reading a Bible I can actually understand. (Yes, I am admitting I don't always understand King James English) Anyway, I was reading in Acts chapter 27, when I came across Paul saying to a group of men, "MEN, YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE..." What?!? Did Paul just say what I think he said. Now, I totally forgot the context in which it was written, but I just saw where the Apostle Paul said to a group of men "YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME IN THE FIRST PLACE".

So, now I have a Scriptural backing to say to Derek or anyone else - YOU SHOULD HAVE LISTENED TO ME! IN THE FIRST PLACE! As a matter of fact, I think that will be the next verse my children memorize:)

A Change in Perspective

This year has been much different than I had anticipated. God has been amazingly faithful to our family, and I have experienced a wide range of emotions. (If you don't know what I am referring to, just read my previous blog). I feel as if I am just now beginning my year. I want to thank everyone for their prayers, cards, calls and just general kindness.

It has been challenging for me to get the accident out of my thinking. I didn't drive for almost 3 weeks, and the first time I drove at night and saw headlights coming at me, I nearly freaked out. It has been amazing to see God's grace through it all. When I experience various emotions, I just call out to God to help me, and He does in such amazing ways.

One of my challenges is that I drive by the sight of the accident every time I leave my neighborhood. There is charred grass on the left side of the road, and skid marks and orange spray paint where my car came to a stop. I have looked at it every time I drive by, and there has been a sense of sadness and loss. That is until I got a call from a good friend.

My friend called to say that every time he drove past the scene, he would think of our family. He was wanting to spray paint the charred grass green but was unsure how to get rid of the skid marks on the road. Then he heard the Lord say, "No, that is to serve as a reminder of my protection." As soon as he said that to me I realized that I had been looking at that scene the wrong way. God saved my life that night! That's an amazing thing. All the paramedics and the policeman at the scene were shaking their heads in amazement that I had walked away.

It was astonishing to see that nothing on the outside changed, I just needed to change the way I was looking at that night and at the scene of the accident. It got me to thinking about so many things in our lives; we will see something that God has done, but not fully appreciate it. Maybe an answer to prayer didn't look the way we wanted it to look. I am now more aware than ever to be looking for what God is doing, to be thankful for all He has done. I have so much to be thankful for - I am alive!! God is good.