A Second Chance

On April 1st, there was an accident out in front of our house. Several people were involved, but none were seriously injured . The person at fault was badly shaken up. I saw her pacing and could see she was ready to snap. I stood to the side, just watching. And did nothing.

Later that day I wrote in my journal asking God to forgive me for not reaching out to the woman.
I went on: "She was scared, I could have been your arms. I missed that opportunity. Oh Lord, don't let me do that again. Give me another chance. I ask for opportunities but don't take the ones You give! No wonder You use others. Don't give up on me Father!"
Then, today I wrote "Lord, You are wonderful! Grant me the strength and all I need in order to bring glory to You. Teach me, use me and make Your presence known in my life. Have Your way in me! Let me be a light for You. Also, provide opportunities for me to reach out, show me them clearly, and help me to see and seize the opportunity to reach out to the broken.
In Jesus name I pray,
                      Amen."

Earlier today, I was upstairs staining a shelf in the (house) barn loft when I heard the screeching of tires on pavement. My mom, younger sister Olivia and I paused as my mom and I listened intently. After a few seconds my mom said simply "No boom." Olivia and I were silent for awhile, then Olivia asked "Mommy, what did you mean when you said 'no boom?'"
When she received no reply (my mom was busy with something) and asked again, I answered, explaining what most of us had learned since moving next to a busy highway: if we hear tires screeching and then a boom (or it can be vice versa) we know there has been an accident. No boom/crash, no accident. Satisfied with this explanation, Olivia went on with whatever she was doing, and I fell silent again.

A little later (maybe 30 mins. to an hour), as I was just finishing with the shelf, I heard a loud crash/boom. This time was for real. I ran downstairs and outside and looked around.
The noise had come from a driver hitting the curb and two road signs which now lay in the middle of the road. My mom and I moved the signs off the road and then decided to go across the road to where the driver had pulled over. An elderly woman was at the wheel, and two men who'd witnessed the accident were there with her and had already called for an ambulance. She had a pretty ugly cut on her forehead and scrapes up her arms and on her face, but nothing too major. She had some memory loss and couldn't remember exactly what happened. Obviously distraught and still somewhat dazed, yet clearly aware of her surroundings, she sat half in/half out of the car as my mom talked to her and hugged her for awhile, assuring her that she'd be okay. Then as she stepped back I came forward and asked if she'd like me to pray with her. She readily agreed and I leaned into the car as I prayed, with her listening silently while holding napkins to the cut on her forehead. We stayed with her until the paramedics and police arrived (seemed like it was forever!), then left.

Of course, I was reminded of the opportunity I'd skipped out on nearly two weeks ago, and I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am that God answered my prayers, and for this assurance that He hasn't and will not give up on me, even when I fail Him.
Now I want to encourage you: God hasn't given up on you either! Ask Him for opportunities to "be the light" and "be his hands and feet" like all these songs we often thoughtlessly sing, and believe me, He will bring about those opportunities. But seize  that opportunity! Don't let Satan hold you in fear, don't let him reason you out of it, because he'll try. Thoughts like "She'll be alright. Her family is on the way. It's none of my business. I'll just be in the way." will come. Most of the time, they're just excuses that Satan willingly provides at your convenience.

Be who you were meant to be! His hands, His feet, His light shining in the darkness. It's scary at first, and maybe awkward at times, but don't let that stop you. You never know when a simple smile, a word of encouragement, a prayer, a hug or even a pat on the back will change a person's life.

I came across these verses randomly this morning and barely skimmed over them but outlined them for future reference, and am reminded of them now:


“Is this not the fast which I choose,
         To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
         To undo the bands of the yoke,
         And to let the oppressed go free
         And break every yoke?

7“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
         And bring the homeless poor into the house;
         When you see the naked, to cover him;
         And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

8“Then your light will break out like the dawn,
         And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
         And your righteousness will go before you;
         The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

9“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
         You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’
         If you remove the yoke from your midst,
         The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,

10And if you give yourself to the hungry
         And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
         Then your light will rise in darkness
         And your gloom will become like midday.

11“And the LORD will continually guide you,
         And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
         And give strength to your bones;
         And you will be like a watered garden,
         And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.

12“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
         You will raise up the age-old foundations;
         And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
         The restorer of the streets in which to dwell."

-Isaiah 58:6-12

            Blessings to you today!
                                        Victoria Christine