My Testimony - How He Became My Center

Healer, protector, faithful, encourager, in control, 

undeniable presence...

Jeremiah 30:17 But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the LORD.

God poured out His grace on the Lemley family the night of March 30, 2011.  The LORD revealed His awesome power, His healing, His protection, and His faithfulness. Our family learned how God can restore and transform lives as He works all things for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The year of 2011 was a regular year, filled with regular family activities...

My husband, Bruce, and I decided to take a Bible study together at CrossWalk Community Church in Williamsburg.  The study was "The Power of Prayer" by Jim Cymbala.  At the same time, others in the church were preparing for The Living Passover -- a powerful production which our church performs during the Easter season.  About halfway through our Bible study, we received a phone call from Michael Yardley of CrossWalk, asking us if the Lemley family could help backstage with the production. I remember taking the call and discussing it with Bruce.  It would be a very large time commitment for our family, and we had never done something like this before.  After some discussion, we decided yes, we would help.

Bruce and I didn't realize it, but with that decision to help, we moved from learning about the power of prayer in a classroom setting of a Bible study to a real-life setting that was about to unfold in our lives.

Psalm 63:2-4  "I have seen you in the sanctuary,

and beheld your power and your glory.

Because your love is better than life, 

my lips will glorify you.

I will praise you as long as I live, 

and in your name I will lift up my hands."

March 30, 2011: Miracle Day

My son Michael, my daughter Sarah, my husband Bruce, and I were volunteering backstage at The Living Passover production. I was responsible for opening and closing the multiple manual curtains, Bruce operated the mechanical curtains, Sarah helped with props, and Michael assisted with projection and sets.  Wednesday, March 30, was the second-to-last dress rehearsal.  The crucifixion scene had just ended and it was

around 9:00 p.m.  I was waiting in the darkness of the stage behind the first curtain for directions for the next scene.  Suddenly, I heard a very loud "bang" and felt a tremendous, crashing blow to the top of my head.  My head felt like it exploded -- I felt a horrible compression of my neck.  My teeth and jaw felt such incredible force.  I fell to the floor and grabbed my head.  I remember praying, "Oh no, God, not now.  Please save me.  Please let me stay here for my kids!"  I had no idea what hit me, but I knew it was serious. I distinctly remember thinking, "This changes everything."  

The scrim curtain and pole that raised and lowered by a mechanical system had somehow released and crashed to the ground, also injuring two other women on the other side of the stage. The scrim pole that hit us was approximately 50 ft. in length, estimated at 150 pounds, and hung from about 20 feet high. I remember laying on the ground in the dark and crying out for help.  

Psalm 18:6 In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help.

From His temple He heard my voice;

my cry came before Him, into His ears.

My sweet Sarah was standing less than five feet away from me.  She witnessed everything.  She saw the pole drop and hit me in the head; then Sarah saw me fall and lie very still on the ground, bleeding from my head.  By God's grace, my dear Michael was working in another area backstage and was spared from seeing anything.  Bruce didn't realize I was hit until he came around the curtain and saw me on the ground. 

Bill Wren quickly called 911.  Andy Hill removed his headscarf and applied pressure to my head with his hand on top of my hands.  He prayed for me and talked with me to keep me awake.  I remember asking Andy, "When will the paramedics get here?"  It seemed like such a long time.  He told me that he heard them and that they were coming!  I remember being so relieved when the paramedics arrived.  They were two young men named Bob and David.  Both were professional and kind.  They told Andy that he could remove his hands from my head, and then told me I could remove my hands.  I felt like a small child, when you had a cut or scrape and you didn't want to remove your hands from covering the injury.  It was as though your hand over the cut was keeping you protected and held together.  Curiously, I didn't feel pain at the time -- just a very heavy, covered feeling.  I simply kept praying over and over, "Help me, Jesus!"

As I laid on the ground, I remember asking many times, "Where are my kids?"  I wanted to make sure Michael and Sarah were safe and that they weren't witnessing what was happening.  I was so worried that they would be watching and be very frightened. 

I have been told that the cast and crew were clustered in groups in the sanctuary fervently praying for those of us who were injured. Bruce was crying and praying, Sarah was being held and prayed with by Monica Stefanowicz, and Michael was blessedly still unaware that I was hurt. 

All of us who were injured were covered in prayer.  Even from a distance!  John Cunningham is a Ham Radio operator on the prayer team at CrossWalk.  John and his wife Jacquie heard the emergency squad dispatch call over his radio. He learned that three people were injured at CrossWalk.  He didn't know who was hurt, but they got down on their knees in their home and started praying for us while the paramedics were en route to the church. 

The paramedics bandaged my head, secured a neck brace, and then carefully put me on a fiberglass board and wheeled me out of the theater.  I was taken to Riverside Hospital's head trauma unit in Newport News.  I remember the night was cold, raining, and miserable.  I was so cold and needed a blanket, but the paramedics told me that they could not give me one, because they didn't want to make me comfortable; they wanted me to stay awake.  

Curiously, one of the paramedics who answered the call at CrossWalk that night had recently met me at a Williamsburg Christian Academy volunteer landscaping day that I had organized the weekend just before the accident.  He recognized me from the event and called a mutual friend from WCA, Leanne Brooks, that night after he left the church.  He told her, "Your friend needs prayer. She will suffer serious complications from this."  

A young lady named Audra Meyer brought Michael and Sarah home where my friend Mary Berry was waiting for them.  Mary so kindly cared for Michael and Sarah through the night -- even though she is very, very allergic to our cats.  Six people from CrossWalk were with us at the hospital.  Tim Salavejus hopped in Bruce's car and drove him down to the hospital.  Scott and Shannon Moberly were in Newport News at a movie and raced over to the hospital; Joani Colon, Pastor Mark Morrow, and Youth Pastor Michael Yardley visited and prayed with us. 

After arriving at the head trauma unit, they did a CT scan of my head.  Praise God and His mighty power!  My skull was not cracked, and I did not have any bleeding in my brain.  My visible injuries at the hospital did not match the weight of what had hit me.  I received 11 stitches on the top of my head, and was released from the hospital around 2 - 3 a.m.  After we arrived home, we told Michael and Sarah that I was home and safe.  I crawled into bed around 4:00 a.m. -- completely exhausted, and my hair caked with blood.  I was so incredibly thankful to Jesus that I was alive and home with my family.  God answered my simple prayer when I called out to Him the moment I was hit.  He saved me.  I was with my family!  Thank You, Jesus!  Thank You, God!  That early morning when I arrived home, and through the following day, I kept hearing clearly in my head these words from a song:  "to hear You say this one's mine, my heart is spoken for."   A few weeks later, I heard the words on the radio on KLOVE 90.7.   The lyrics were from "Spoken For" by Mercy Me.  I am His, and He protected me.

Mercy Me "Spoken For" chorus:

Covered by a love divine

Child of the risen LORD

To hear You say this one's mine

My heart is spoken for.

This was truly God's miracle.  He protected and healed me.  But, little did I know, God was just getting started; leading me on a beautiful journey with Him.

REMARKABLE POWER OF PRAYER

Luke 5:26  Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God.  

They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."

Two days after the accident, the paramedics who answered the call stopped by CrossWalk to see how we were doing and ask about our injuries.  Monica Goltare, CrossWalk administrative assistant, shared our diagnoses with them.  The paramedics turned white as a sheet, and said that it was not possible that we were not injured worse than we were.  She told them that was the power of prayer, and the paramedics told her they had to go back and tell their precinct! 

MISSING A MIRACLE

The morning after the accident, I began experiencing extreme, constant pain from my shoulders to the top of my head.  I was incredibly exhausted, weak, and dizzy. 

We were very concerned.  Because my injuries did not match what had hit me, the emergency doctor must have assumed the paramedics overreacted.  Very plainly, the doctor missed a miracle right in front of him that night.  He did not X-ray my neck, and there was no instruction about concussions or brain injuries.  He just told us I might need a tablet of Motrin, if necessary.  When the hospital released me that early morning, I was even given the choice of having a wheelchair or I could walk out.  Even my primary care doctor eventually told me all my side effects should go away by at the most 4 - 5 weeks.  However, what followed was over a year of recuperation and healing. 

Our friend, Steve Cole, who has experience with concussions, and his wife, Lonna, who is a nurse, advised us what to do for my extreme pain, and what to expect from a brain injury.   Lonna adjusted the pain medication - from only "one Motrin, as necessary" to a rotation of 4 Motrin and 3 Tylenol.  We were concerned that there was no x-ray done of my neck, but thought possibly the CT scan covered this area.  Bruce contacted a friend at Riverside Hospital, and we found out that there was no evaluation of my neck at all.  Considering the weight of the pole that hit my head, we went to the Emergency Room at Sentara to have this checked out since I was in such intense pain.  Praise God, after the X-rays they determined my neck was not broken but I needed physical therapy.  The doctor also gave me a neck brace -- which was so very helpful.  I don't fault the ER doctor for not making a proper diagnosis or giving us proper instruction -- they just missed a miracle that was right before their eyes.  

The pieces of the puzzle didn't match.  A pole of approximately 150 pounds should have caused so much more damage, as the paramedics knew.  So the doctors did the only logical thing -- discounted that the pole was really that heavy and assumed they were dealing with an excessively cautious emergency squad.  Everyone there on March 30, from the cast, crew, and paramedics, knew differently because they knew the facts and experienced the moment.  I was not "lucky" and I didn't "have a hard head."  I experienced God's power.  

I WILL LIFT UP MY HANDS IN PRAISE

Psalm 63:4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name 

I will lift up my hands.

We were surrounded by an outpouring of love from family and friends. Our friends at CrossWalk offered prayers and delicious meals. My Mom and Dad in New Jersey were so sweet and talked with me every day.  Amazing meals would arrive at our door from family friends. Many people from CrossWalk were praying for my healing. I was able to write thank you notes to the kind people who brought us meals, but could not thank all of the people for their prayers. I wrote a thank you note to the congregation and asked Pastor Mark if he could read it to them.  He asked if our family would come to CrossWalk's communion service for The Living Passover on opening night so I could personally read my thank you note to the cast.  We went to the church service, and I read my note to the cast and crew on the same stage on which I could have lost my life.  It was an emotional moment, but one that confirmed that God was in control, and He was going to transform many lives through The Living Passover production.  After taking communion together, the entire cast and crew circled the sanctuary, holding candles and singing Third Day's Angus Dei.  I was 48 years old, and had never raised my hands in praise to the LORD.  That afternoon, standing with Bruce, Michael, and Sarah I had tears streaming down my face and raised my hands in praise. 

On April 21, 2011, during the Williamsburg Christian Academy Flowering of the Cross event, I was encouraged to approach the cross with Sarah and place on the cross the last remaining beautiful white flower from CrossWalk church's flower arrangement which they sent to me after the accident.  It was a sweet moment I will cherish.  I was so very thankful to be able to honor Him who had saved me.  Praise be to God!

THE JOURNEY

Jeremiah 30:17 "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds" 

declares the LORD.

I was so thankful for God’s mighty healing and protection.  But I had no way of knowing that He was just getting started...  God had amazing things to show me and teach me during the slower process of healing that was to follow.  I was at the beginning of a beautiful, sweet time with my Heavenly Father.  One that I now look back on with awe and humility.  What a mighty, loving God we serve!

Before I was injured, I was reading the book of Jeremiah in my Bible.  After my injury, I was told that I wouldn't be able to look at computer screens, watch TV, or read.  I found that I couldn't look at computer screens and TVs, but I could read!  I picked up my Bible and began to read Jeremiah where I had left off before I was hurt. The first scripture I read as I picked up my Bible was Jeremiah 30:17  "But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds declares the LORD."  This Scripture was my Heavenly Father’s clear promise to me of His plan for healing and restoration that carried me through the many months of healing that were to follow. God truly speaks to us through His Word. His Presence was undeniable.  

Psalm 30:2  O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.

I had many symptoms that were a result of the accident.  Some symptoms were immediate and temporary, and many lingered for months.  

Immediate

11 stitches on top of head

Extreme pain and tenderness from shoulders to top of head

Extreme physical fatigue - slept most of the day, early to bed

Mental fatigue/"veil"/general fuzziness

Could not look at computer screen or TV screen

Problems with concentration and blocking out competing stimuli

Vertigo 

Slept sitting up for 2 weeks

Physical therapy on neck

Could not drive for 5 weeks (concentration/fatigue/neck)

Lingering

Physical fatigue - limited to one event, activity or errand per day  

Could not look at TV and computer screens

Problems filtering out multiple stimuli i.e., stores, dentist office, school 

Concentration problems

Sleep disturbances

Slower thought process

Difficulty choosing correct word for common items

Vertigo

Neck stiffness and weakness

SHARE THE GOSPEL AND KNOW HIS WORD

Within weeks of the accident, God laid it on my heart to know the Gospel.  To really know His Word.  God tells us to share His Good News, but after years of Bible studies, did I know the Gospel well enough to tell others? Had I read carefully and completely through the Old Testament to develop a deeper knowledge of Him?  I felt He wanted me to begin to tell others about Jesus -- something that is so far from what I had ever felt capable of doing. For years, I had taken Bible studies and I was very comfortable learning about God.  It was a whole different world to be expected to tell people about Him!  That completely put me out of my comfort zone. The LORD was bringing me to a new dependency and relationship with Him.  He poured Scripture of restoration, healing, and encouragement into me during my healing time with Him.

I began to read the Bible with a new hunger, understanding, and insight.  He wanted me to know His Word in a deeper way and share the Gospel.  God also pointed me to a book in my bookcase, Becoming a Woman of Influence by Carole Kent, which I hadn't opened in about five years.  I began to read the book again and was amused by my notes in the margins of the book from many years ago.  I had written that I “felt very far from being an influence on anyone.”  Now, He was clearly calling me to be an influence and had given me a testimony to do so.  

"Lord, thank You for giving me a story and a testimony that may influence others to become closer to You." -- excerpt from my journal - 5/13/11

RABBI, TEACHER

Romans 8:28 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

God used the time of slower healing to draw me closer to Him, strengthen my relationship with Him, teach me, and transform me.  God gave me the gift of experiencing His power and knowing His power -- not just believing in His power. 

God was telling me that He wants so much more from me than what I was giving Him before the accident.  

I have learned that this is what He wants:

Your quality time

Your stillness

Be a woman of godly influence 

Evangelize (Not my comfort zone -- it would be entirely through His Holy Spirit!)

Christ as my center, my focus

Seek Him with ALL my heart, soul, and mind

Hunger for and read His Word everyday

He taught me precious lessons:

Cherish your time with your family. Don't take this time for granted.  

He is our healer.

He hears our prayers and He answers. Even the small, simple, direct ones.  Miracles do happen.

He is powerful.

Be patient.

Slow down. "If the devil can't make you bad, he will make you busy."

-- Corrie Ten Boom

Go to Him first when frustrated, tired, worried or concerned.

He is faithful and encouraging.  

(He put people directly in my path with testimonies of their own that

encouraged me at the exact times that I needed it.)

Be purposeful in our devotional time with Him each day.

(Don't just squeeze Him in.)

Pray with a childlike faith. 

Pray for miracles!

HE WATCHES OVER US

Isaiah 41:10  So do not fear, for I am with you; 

do not be dismayed for I am your God.  

Isaiah 41:13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

I was unable to drive due to my inability to filter out multiple stimuli and lingering concentration issues.  My dear friends Julianne Aman and Myrlene Davis would bring Michael and Sarah home from school each day.  I wanted so badly to be able to pick up the kids and bring them home from school, but I wanted to be sure it was safe to do so. One month after the accident, I tried to drive.  I was able to drive in the neighborhood; however, once I turned onto the busy Longhill Road, I couldn't concentrate and I had to quickly return home.  It was too much stimuli and not safe for me to drive on the main roads yet.  I was so discouraged.  The following week, I tried again.  I drove a short trial run with Bruce.  Praise God!  I felt like I could safely drive. The short drive gave me a huge headache, but I was able to concentrate.  On May 3, I planned on picking Michael and Sarah up from school.  Before I left to pick them up at school, I became very concerned. Would I really be able to make the 20 mile round trip safely? As I was reading and praying, I opened my Bible to Psalm 121. Through His Scripture, God let me know that I would be safe and successful.  

Psalm 121

I lift my eyes to the hills -- where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip --

he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you --

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day, 

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm --

he will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

God was with me and I was successful -- tired, but successful and safe.  This was a huge milestone for me.  I was still very fatigued, and at that time had to limit my activity to only one event or errand per day.  The task of picking up Michael and Sarah had to be the one event of my day.  Due to fatigue, I rested before I went to pick them up, and had to rest afterwards.  A small victory; I was able to pick up my kids from school again! Praise God!  

THE KINDNESS OF OTHERS

I was a person who was used to relying on myself.  Always going, always busy.  I learned about humility, servanthood of others and incredible kindness.  Family, friends, and strangers poured out their time and love to me.  It was truly a humbling experience.  Bruce had to be both mom and dad, running the house, caring for me, caring for Michael and Sarah, and working at his place of business.  My dear parents talked to me every day for weeks.  My sweet friend, Jackie Moore, surprised me and showed up at our door one day and cleaned our house. This was very humbling considering I was not able to clean before Jackie came to clean!  She even cleaned our bathrooms... very humbling. Two friends, Julianne Aman and Myrlene Davis brought Michael and Sarah home from school every day for over a month. My friends Diane Payne and Mary Berry drove me to my physical therapy appointments, and my friend Mary would also come with me to help me grocery shop and load/unload my packages.  So many people lifted me up in prayer, provided delicious meals, and supported our family.  God would put friends in my path to speak words of encouragement to me like Wanda Daniels, Elizabeth Floyd and Connie Forget. God was teaching me the importance of time spent one-on-one with people -- ministering to their specific needs. 

HE IS OUR ENCOURAGER

The LORD is so encouraging and faithful.  God consistently put people in my path who would say just the right encouraging word to me exactly when I needed it.  One example of His encouragement happened about a month after the accident.  I received the okay from my Physical Therapist to start some limited walking in my neighborhood.  Prior to March 30, I would walk three miles almost every day -- now I had to start at about 1/4 of a mile.  Slowly.  I had planned to start walking that day, but I felt so tired after Michael and Sarah left for school that morning, that I had to lay down and go back to sleep and gave up trying to walk for the first time as I had planned. I was so discouraged!  But Praise God, He is so faithful!  When I woke up, I decided to try again.  As I left my house, at the end of my driveway, I met up with a neighbor and Bible study friend, Wanda Daniels.  I shared what was happening in my life, and she told me that her son had suffered head trauma from a skateboarding accident.  She told me it was definitely a long recovery, but that her son is now healed. The LORD put her in my path exactly when I needed her with the gentle, encouraging words I needed to hear.  Thank you, God!

TRUST IN HIM  July 20-23, 2011 Smith Mountain Lake

John 14:1  "Do not let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."  

Almost four months had gone by since the accident. I was still healing and was experiencing physical and mental fatigue, vertigo, and weakness/stiffness in my neck.  We decided to go to Smith Mountain Lake for a few days for a family vacation. Bruce and the kids were going to swim and go boating, while I was going to read and relax.  A friend from CrossWalk, Connie Dallas, had just given me a box of books that she no longer needed and she had thought that Sarah and I would enjoy them.  As we packed our bags, I randomly brought a few books from the box to read.  

This was the first time traveling a long distance in the car since being injured, so I was worried about how it would affect my health.  I was a worrier, and I think as a mom and a woman, it is something that tends to come with the territory.  This trip was no different.  I was looking forward to getting away with Bruce, Michael, and Sarah, but was worried about so many things...  Will the drive be too much for me?  Will it make my neck worse?  Will my vertigo get worse?  What is the house like?  And on and on...  

We got lost on the way, making the drive longer than usual. We arrived, unpacked, and headed out to get some dinner.  The place we ate was okay, but a little dirty.  I was concerned that the table wasn't properly washed off.... which of course led me to believe that maybe their food sanitation wasn't that great... which led me to worry if the kids would get food poisoning. We stopped at a store to look at souvenirs after dinner.  After about ten minutes in the store, I became completely exhausted and we had to leave quickly.  I started worrying about being so exhausted... Can you just sense the spinning wheels and the cycle of worry?  

That night, I went to bed thoroughly exhausted and hoping to get a good night's rest.  Instead, I couldn't fall asleep. I was tossing and turning, listening to the sounds of Michael tossing in his bed... worrying that he wasn’t sleeping well, worrying if Sarah would have an upset tummy after eating the food from dinner...  worrying about not sleeping, worrying about my health... spinning the wheels of worry.

It was 2:00 a.m., and I still could not sleep.  At this point I was consumed with exhaustion, worry and fear for my health. I got up, went to the living room of the rental house and was crying and feeling so overwhelmed. I finally woke Bruce and told him how frightened and upset I was.  He held me, and as I laid my head on the pillow, the LORD laid these Scriptures on my heart. These Scriptures played over and over in my mind: 

"Let not your heart be troubled, trust in God and trust also in me."

"He who watches over you will not slumber or sleep."

I drifted off to sleep as the soothing Scriptures filled my thoughts.

The next morning, I was very tired, but ready to start a new day.  Bruce took Michael and Sarah to pick up a boat that we rented.  I went to my travel bag and randomly picked out one of the books I had packed from my friend Connie.  It was a beautiful morning, and I found a cozy spot on the deck, sitting in a hammock chair.  The book I chose was an old book by Corrie Ten Boom, called Don't Wrestle, Just Nestle.  

I opened the book.  The first line I read on the page made my heart jump.  "Let not your heart be troubled... "  It was the same scripture that soothed me to sleep just a few hours ago. "Let not your heart be troubled, trust in God and trust also in me."

Tears started streaming down my face as I read the line of Scripture in that little book.  Praise You, God, for your intentional revelation of Scripture!  I turned the book over and read the cover describing the contents of the book.  It was about worrying and trusting in the LORD.  Exactly the message I needed to hear.  Thank You, Jesus, for continuing to teach me, shape me, and change me during this time of healing in my life.

All that day, I eagerly read the book.  I had multiple dog-eared pages, underlines and smiley faces -- I made the book my own!  The LORD was telling me that I needed to trust in Him.  He was still working on me!  God was telling me that He knew that I was so very grateful that He protected me and healed me, but now I needed to trust in Him.  Completely. God used the truths and Scripture which Corrie Ten Boom shared in that little book written in 1978 to teach me to let go of worry and to trust in Him.  From that day forward, I can honestly say that He has transformed me. I trust Him completely. I no longer get caught up in cycles of worry.  He has taught me about His Peace that passes all understanding, in all circumstances.  I was taught the difference between worry and concern.  As Corrie Ten Boom explained in her book, worry is unhealthy spinning of your wheels, and concern spurs you on to a healthy, tangible action.  God taught me about trusting Him at that little Smith Mountain Lake house in July 2011.  It was exactly the message I needed to hear. Thank you, Jesus!

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,

 I will be exalted in the earth.

Psalm 116:1-7

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 

Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;

I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.

Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!”

The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 

The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 

The LORD allowed my “slate” to be wiped clean that night of March 30, 2011. Before the accident, I was a very busy mom and an equally busy volunteer. I was the one who would coordinate events and committees, making sure that every last detail was addressed, taken care of, and perfect.  My goal was for nothing to fall through the cracks! My time was filled to the brim... busy, busy, busy... running here and running there.  But in an instant, in a moment of time, all that I was doing had to stop. I could not function and I had to step down from my busyness. I entered into a time of quiet stillness, and thankfulness. 

Luke 10:38-41 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 

Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I was forced to become a Mary instead of a Martha.  And I learned about the blessing of spending time at His feet.  I learned the importance of being still and knowing that He is God.

During that quite time of healing in my life, the LORD drew me close to Him. Because I had to stop all of my activities, I had the time to spend with Him -- reading and absorbing His Word.  I had the time to pray to Him.  During that year of recovery, I learned to be very intentional in what I put back on my “plate of life” so that I could honor the lesson God taught me about being still.  

As the anniversary of the accident was approaching, I had been praying and asking God, what He would have me do.  How did He want me to serve? I had been asking Him this question for a few months. What was His plan for me now?  What did he want me to take on?  He had done something “big” for me!  A miracle in my life!  Didn’t He want me to do something “big” for Him?  One particular day, I was praying, yet again, for direction.  “LORD, what would you have me do?”  That day, God answered.  

After praying, I logged onto FaceBook.  There, on my newsfeed, was a video titled “My Garden.”  I normally don’t watch videos that are posted on FaceBook, but I decided to click on it, and it was the account of a pastor, Ed Dobson.  He had a “big” calling. Ed Dobson once preached to thousands every week in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  But then Ed developed ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, and was advised he would have to stop being a pastor of thousands because of his health. And then God taught Ed something. He taught Ed about the importance of one-on-one ministry.  Ed described, in his words, “Meeting with individual people and helping them in their journey” with Jesus. He describes his ministry as tending to God’s garden of people.  God’s garden had become Ed’s garden, too. The video was significant to me because, while I had not been entrusted with large “projects” from God, I felt He was clearly placing people in my path. Individuals in need of an encouraging word, people in need of someone to hold their hand as they made their way on their journey with the LORD. People who wanted to become closer to Jesus, but didn’t know how. I believe God was confirming to me that yes, I am doing just what He wants me to do in this season of my life. Being accessible and available to anyone He happens to put in my path. Anyone in need of prayer, a hand to hold or an encouraging word. Helping anyone who wants to know Jesus more deeply. Tears streamed down my face as I watched the video. Thank you, God for answering my prayer and gently telling me “Yes, child, you are doing just what I want you to do in this season of your life.  Now go and tend my precious garden.” 

Matthew 13:16-17

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.  

For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

God gave me the gift of knowing His power through experience and taught me to completely trust in Him.  My Heavenly Father gave me the precious gift of time with my family. My health has been restored.  For all of this, I am so very grateful. Thank you, LORD.

God has used this season in my life to teach me so much and to draw me closer to Him.

I thank God for giving me a story and testimony that He will use to influence others to become closer to Christ. Through this experience, the LORD has transformed me, He has changed my family, and He has changed my focus.  My Heavenly Father has become my Center.  I am now content to follow His lead in my life... to be firmly on His path. There is no where else I would rather be.  I pray that this account of the year following the accident that changed my life has blessed and encouraged you. I think back to the thought that raced through my mind, moments after the accident. It was so true... “This changes everything.”  That instant in my life truly did change everything...  in an amazing way that only could have been orchestrated by our mighty, loving God.

On the anniversary of March 30, our family looks at that day as a day of revelation, not a day of fear. We smile, praise God, and wish each other a “Happy Miracle Day!”

“Miracles are never an end in themselves; they are always a means to point to and accomplish something greater.”  -- Francis Chan, “Forgotten God”

1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.