One year ago today my husband was hit by a car while riding his bicycle. (Original post here.)
As you can imagine, it rocked our world.
The car traveling 55 mph, side-swiped Bill’s left side and threw him 30 feet. Amazingly, God spared his life.
It’s been quite the road of recovery for him. He still experiences physical pain from the injuries, but he’s thankful he’s still here. We all are.
For Bill to even attempt getting back on a bicycle is a great feat. He faced any sort of lingering fear head-on this summer as we rode RAGBRAI together. I couldn’t be more proud of him.
As I thanked God again this morning for sparing Bill’s life last year, I became overwhelmed in thinking of God’s faithfulness in our lives.
And yes, I will continue to tell of how faithful He is.
The four big things Bill’s accident reminded me:
1) Drivers, in general, are distracted behind the wheel. May you and I today change that. Keep your focus on the road or pull over. Do what you can to keep distractions a minimum. Please don’t text and drive. I know how easy it is to do it, but doing so could take your life or someone else’s.
2) When biking, always wear a helmet. Doing so can be a matter of life or death.
3) People are priceless. Our things are not. Why do we sometimes give our things more attention than we do the people in our lives? Our things can be replaced. Our people, and my husband, cannot.
4) Live each day to its fullest. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Don’t wait to do anything tomorrow that you can do today.
Even though we wish Bill’s accident would have never happened, we see how God has brought good out of the bad.
May we live this day as the true miracle it is!
Happy Sunday, my friend!
Julie
(Linking up with Counting My Blessings.)
Julie, I’m so thankful you have been blessed with a year of bonus days. Rev and I have been counting bonus days for 7 years, following God’s sparing of his life through a surgery that very few people survive. He was also hit by a car going 55 mph while crossing a road as an 8 year old. I thank him for living everyday, and we both thank God for His grace and mercy. Blessings to you both. Sounds like a day to celebrate!
Wow, Deb. You have much to celebrate too. The thing is, God would still have been faithful if He would have taken Bill home. I’m just glad He, like you said, blessed us with a year of bonus days! Love that! Thank you for sharing here today. Your presence and your words are a gift! Hugs to you!
Hi Julie! Oh my gosh, I can’t imagine what emotions went through you at the time of your husband’s accident…and all through the rehab too. You have some very hard-won wisdom here. I would agree with the distracted driving. There is a law against cellphones and driving, and yet I see that all the time. People ARE priceless! That kind of behavior is really disrespectful at least, and deadly at most.
So nice to meet you today! I came over from Counting My Blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! It’s nice to meet you too! Thank you for sharing here. Yes, those days were filled with all sorts of emotions. Still experience a few mixed ones some days. But we’re thankful. Very thankful! Since Bill’s accident, I’m intentionally putting my phone down while driving… lives are too precious. Have a great week, new friend!
What a beautiful testimony of God’s amazing work in our lives. So thankful that He spared Bill’s life and that He has brought good out of this terrible accident. Thank you for the reminders, Julie, to stay focused on what is important–behind the wheel and in our daily lives. May the Lord richly bless you today!
Sabra, I thought of you much of the time I wrote that post. I know you have a similar story with your husband. We have so much to be thankful for, don’t we?! Thank you for your encouragement here. You bless me each time you visit. I appreciate you, friend! Have a blessed week!
Yes, Julie. I could never give enough thanks for all God has done! Praying you have a sweet week!
Julie, this is an amazing story. I am so glad that God spared your husbands life. What a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness. Yes, we do need to be more mindful not only when we are driving but in our lives to what is really important. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Abby! Experiences like these tend to wake us up to what’s important. It did for me, anyway. I appreciate you visiting today. Have a great week, my friend!
How great is our God! He watches over and protects us all the time and your testimony is a sure story of His care for us. Appreciate your words of encouragement and I thank God for the restoration He is bringing to your husband. He has built something special in you both. Found you at Counting my Blessings which is my blessing!
Hi Jeannie! Thank you for coming by yesterday, and thank you for your encouraging words! Yes, God is doing something mighty in my husband’s life and in ours together. I’m completely grateful. Counting My Blessings is a new find for me! So glad I found it over the weekend! Have a great week!