Do you secretly harbor what I call life's greatest fear? You know, the fear you dread more than anything? You've mulled it over in your mind and tried to solve it every which way, hoping it'll never come to fruition because the outcome might be disastrous. Well, Sunday night me and my biggest fear had a head-on collision.
As my husband drove our family home from our church's Christmas production, he began to stare straight ahead. A sinking feeling entered the pit of my stomach. "Mark, are you okay?" I asked. No answer.
Immediately I knew. Mark was having a seizure. While driving.
Although he was unresponsive to my requests to stop the van, I was thankful he was able to follow the road as it wound uphill through our neighborhood. But as he turned into our cove, I knew I had a decision to make. Since he couldn't stop the van on his own, I knew I would have to do it or it would be stopped by the telephone pole or one of the houses at the end of our cul-de-sac.
I had no idea how I was going to accomplish this feat, but I knew the One who did. And so I cried out to Jesus. And I asked Him to help me do what I could not do alone.
By this time fear overcame my three children, and they exclaimed that they couldn't watch anymore. As the distance between our van and the telephone pole shortened, I reached across my husband's lap and yanked the lever that controlled his seat, pushing it backwards. I then got on my hands and knees and reached under the dash, hitting the brake with the palm of my right hand. I threw the van in park, praising God for His divine protection.
God allowed my fear to suffer a blow Sunday night instead of my family. And then He reminded me of the reason why He came over two thousand years ago. He is Immanuel- God with us (Matthew 1:23). He goes before me and is with me; He will never leave me or forsake me. He commands me not be afraid or discouraged (Deuteronomy 31:8).
What fear in your life are you facing this Christmas season that needs to be replaced with faith? I'm praying that you'll allow God to minister truth to your soul as He did to mine, and that your greatest fear will suffer a fatal blow once and for all.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
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6 comments:
This post popped into my Twitter feed at just the right time. A good friend was just diagnosed with breast cancer and I was sitting her praying that she would experience God as Immanuel this Christmas season. Literally as I sat down to write her your blog post showed up. So I sent her your link and hope she's encouraged by it. I hope your husband is alright.
Oh. My. Gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is truly frightening, but I am so glad you guys are okay and can share this awesome story of bravery and God's intervention. Wow.
Just wow.
Oh my word! Praise God for your quick thinking and not allowing your fear to drown out the truth of our Savior...He is always God with us. He is the Way, The TRUTH, and the Life. Truly something to celebrate!
Wow Shannon. Thank you for sharing this with me. I will join you right now in praying for your friend. It always amazes me how God seems to hand deliver messages to us at the exact moments we need them. He truly is with us. Praise Him! Katie, wow is right. God is full of WOWs, isn't He? Yes, Debbie, He is truly something to celebrate. :)
Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your precious story. Fears can have such a crippling effect on our lives, but when we face them head on, we can see the power of our Lord and Savior.
I would love to be able to share this blog on my site--would you let me do that? Of course I will give you full credit and point people to your blog. Let me know if that would be alright.
Love and blessings to you sweet sister in Christ,
Olga
I read your blog every now and again Stephanie.... you always encourage me with your ability to be transparent and your insight. Thank you for being willing to "put yourself out there".
Tracy C. Foltz
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