We have been so busy since June that we haven't had chance to post anything but on Friday Gemma started writing this and wants to share it with you now.
Yesterday Hannah and I were involved in an accident. I’m not totally sure what happened, but I think I hit sand and the car pulled left, I couldn’t correct it, we flew off the road and into a tree...
Hannah is completely physically unharmed. I have soft tissue injuries in both wrists, but the right one is worse (and bandaged). Superficial cuts to the back of my right hand from lots of glass splinters. And extensive bruising from my seatbelt and whiplash. But it could have been so much worse.
Why am I sharing this? Partly to help me process it all, but also partly to share two things which have been going through my mind.
Firstly the need for community. Back home in our British culture we often feel like / live like we don’t really need other people. ‘Self’ easily becomes too important to our existence. But we live under such a lie. We need other people. We were made for community. We’re made to live in relationship with others.
I couldn’t call 999 and have the emergency services come rescue me, I had to call on my community. And, not only was there actually a phone signal to do that but, they were amazing. They sorted us out. Got security for the car so stuff wasn’t stolen, got pictures, took us to clinic, police, and made dinner for when we got home. One friend drove over 30km to be at the clinic with me. Countless people were/are praying. My community continues to love us, bless us, and be Jesus to us.
The other thing going through my mind is about God’s grace.
Yesterday I got us out the car (the airbags didn’t go off for several minutes) as smoke was pouring out. I was a bit worried the car would burst into flames. Hannah screamed at the initial point of impact, but then was quiet. As we stood in the dirt at the side of the road, I wrapped my arms around her, and she said ‘Don’t people normally die when something like that happens?’ Eeeish.
I was overwhelmed with a sense of God’s grace and protection. Hannah being perfectly fine is only Jesus.
The tree shaped hole in the front of the car 👆🏻
Without seatbelts or if I’d been driving too fast we wouldn’t be walking away so lightly. God is so gracious. Some people have suggested their surprise that the car didn’t roll given the terrain. God is gracious. Every thing could have turned out so differently. God is gracious.
Many of you know that I have suffered with my back/pelvis for years. But weirdly it doesn’t even seem vaguely aggravated. For me, that is a miracle in itself. God is gracious.
Since driving to the clinic I’ve had some of the lyrics from ‘Sovereign Over Us’ going round my mind; ‘Even what the enemy means for evil You turn it for your good, for Your glory….even in the valley You are faithful…You are sovereign over us’
Isaiah 12:4-5
“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world."
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Thank God for protecting you and that you aren't injured badly
Dear Gemma I am thanking the Lord that you both weren’t seriously hurt .
And I think that the way you have turned to our Lord and in your blog and praised him for that..
I pray that you not only heal physically and not be traumatised. And as you say the community played their part in surrounding you with love and compassion.
Praise God .
I will continue to pray for your safe keeping. God Bl
.