Another Reason to Give Thanks

On November 16, 2010, my mom and I were in a wreck that should have truly ended both of our lives. Below is a post I wrote on my old blog on November 25, 2010. It is raw and unedited. I felt led to share it (as is) once again.

I must say that around this time every year, I have come to be more appreciative of the second chance God gave me. The fact that my mom and I are here today is nothing short of a miracle.

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Another Reason to Give Thanks – November 25, 2010

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 107:1

A lot has happened to me in the past week. My mom and  I were on our way to my University last Tuesday morning. Little did I know that morning, something would happen that would set my world for a spin – literally.

We were driving on the road on our way to my school, sipping coffee and talking about how great God is and enjoying the colorful leaves that were starting to fall. The roads were a little wet and it was drizzling.. we were having a good mother-daughter time. But then our truck somehow got out of control and it spun; and as I screamed,  a sea of yellow and orange came rushing toward us as the side of our truck hit the mountainside. Everything turned black. When I awoke, the truck was upside-down and I was facing my seat. I remembered the impact and started screaming. I looked for my mom expecting that she be on the driver’s side…. dead. But she wasn’t there. Terrified by the fact that we had crashed, the blood running down my face and onto my scarf, and the fact that I couldn’t find my mom gave me more reason to scream louder… for help, for my mom, and for my Jesus.

I was in shock. I heard voices outside and saw someone’s shadow through my window. A voice asked me for my name and opened my door and talked to me, trying to keep me calm as he asked me questions. I’m 18. I wasn’t sure if I had blacked out. I didn’t know how we crashed. Yes, the woman outside the truck had to be my mom. No, there were no other passengers. It was just me and my mom trying to get to school. No, I was not wearing my seatbelt… she wasn’t either. Sir, is my mom ok? I’m dizzy… please don’t let me go to sleep… Jesus, please be with my mom.

As soon as they got me out of the truck and into the ambulance, everything picked up speed. Needles, IVs, questions, and more questions. “When was your last mestrual period? Is there any chance of infectious disease?” No. “Is there any chance you’re pregnant?” No, sir. Definitely not. “Definitely not? How do you know??” I’ve never had sex… His face, priceless…

When we got into the trauma unit, everything went even faster. A lot of the same questions, and a lot of the same answers. I just wanted to see my mom.. I know these people are just doing their job and trying their best to comfort me. I just wanted to see her and know she was ok.

I was discharged a few hours later. I didn’t see my mom that day. Nor did I see her the next one. I wouldn’t see her until Thursday, the 18th – two days after the fact. Her injuries were hard to bear. But this was my mom. She was alive, and for that I was thankful. It’s been a week and two days since our accident, and it has been a test of faith. When I was in the ambulance and they told me my mom was alive, I gave thanks to God.

The Bibles says that in all things we should give thanks. Yes, we were in a horrible crash. Yes, our truck is totaled. Yes, my mom is still in the hospital. But we’re alive, and for that I am so grateful! There is no greater gift than the gift of life. Ever since the accident, I can’t help but thank God for His everlasting mercy. I knew I wasn’t ready to die… I knew I wasn’t right with God at that time. But He gave me a second chance. And it’s been prophesied, my mom’s going to come out of this greater and stronger… sevenfold. She is going to be taken into a higher place in God.

Every breath is a second chance with God. It’s another reason to make things right. We shouldn’t just be thankful for the great things He has done for us. But we should be thankful for even the “little” things that don’t seem like a whole lot. Living is just another reason to give thanks.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1Thess. 5:18

When God Says No.

Tonight, as I began my nightly devotion, I went through my usual routine of journaling… starting with praise. I thanked Him for all the things He’s blessed me with, for bringing me through another day, and for answered prayers. Tonight, however, I felt an urge to thank Him for something I’ve never really given much thought to… I began to thank Him for unanswered prayers.

“Tonight, I’m thankful for unanswered prayers,” I wrote. “We always tend to thank Him for our answered prayers — which is good. But I feel at times we forget that a ‘no’ from God can be more beneficial to us than His yes.” I paused, and began my nightly routine. As I was brushing through my hair, I let that thought sink in…

“A ‘no’ from God can be more beneficial to us than His yes.”

I began to reflect on all the times I’ve begged God to answer certain prayers. To keep certain relationships from dying, to deliver me from struggles of anxiety and the like… Looking back, I can see that not only were some of my prayers selfish, but I am beyond grateful and thankful He said no.

Had God answered those prayers, I would not be where I am today. I would not be in Raleigh, serving under the most anointed leadership and being mentored by some of the greatest prayer warriors in my life. I would not have met my forever friends. I would not have been able to reach out, love, and serve the most beautiful and sweetest people in Taboro, North Carolina.

Had God answered those prayers, I would not be who I am today. I would not have gone through the process, the molding, the stretching, the breaking that has made me into the person I am today. Without going through certain storms in my life, I would not have learned certain valuable lessons and truths that have made me stronger. I would not have the testimony that I have and share with others today.

“When we follow His leading and stay true to His call on our lives,” I continued, “we’ll soon realize that for every ‘no’ there is a far greater YES in His plan for our lives.”

I share this with you tonight to encourage you. Don’t be discouraged when God tells you no… He’s just leading you to His greatest blessings and plan for your life. One of the Brothers at our church said it this way, “When God tells you no, He’s just leading you to a ‘new opportunity.'”

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Thankfulness.

It’s Thanksgiving Day and I’m sure most of us have had quite a bit more turkey than we could handle. And it’s probably SO cliche for me to be talking about thankfulness. BUT… here I am. And I’m talking to  you about thankfulness. So, let’s hop in!

When people ask you what you’re thankful for, what are some of the things that usually come to your mind?

When I “don’t feel like it.”

In our last post, we got into the subject of priorities and how we tend to make excuses to not do things because we’re “too busy.” I was recently talking the blog over with a friend and they made a really good observation that I wanted to share with you ladies this week.

How is it that we’re never to busy to do the things that we actually want to do?

Have you ever noticed that when you want to do something, you’ll make the time for it? I don’t know about you, but usually when I don’t want to make the time to do something, it’s not ALWAYS because I’m too busy. Sometimes, I just don’t feel like it.

When I’m “too busy”

Hey girls! I know, I know… you’re all probably wondering why there were no new blog posts the past few weeks. In fact, I have even been slacking on updating the TCG facebook page. To be completely honest, there probably wouldn’t have even been a post for tonight if I hadn’t forced myself to sit down and write one. *Gasp!*

So I sat on my bed and opened my laptop and began to think on what I should write to you ladies about. Truth be told, I couldn’t think of anything. Until a little voice inside my head told me to give up because I was too busy to write a blog tonight anyway. And then… it happened. Inspiration began to stir inside my mind. It was as if the clouds parted and the sun broke through as God’s voice began to speak, giving me an incredible word for you today….

Carry Me

I try to catch my breath
It hasn’t happened yet
I’m wide awake in the middle of the night scared to death
So I prayed God, would You make this stop
Father please hold on to me, You’re all I’ve got

Recognize it? The above quote is the opening verse for Josh Wilson’s song “Carry Me.” I’ve loved this song since the first time I heard it. Little did I know that the lyrics would become a reality in my life. I never knew I would constantly be repeating the lines in the chorus…

When God Gives You A Dream

It’s never, ever too late to begin again and live the dream you’ve been given! – Annie Lobert

One year ago today, I was struggling. I was struggling to find my purpose in this world. Struggling to find something meaningful to invest my time, my energy, and my life into. I so desperately wanted to do something to make the world a better place. It was my dream.

Book Review – Set Apart Femininity

Set Apart Femininity by Leslie Ludy is like no other book I’ve read for girls who want to be the young woman who God intended them to be. This book calls young women to a “counterculture lifestyle” and challenges every area of your life.

Enough.

“If I only had a boyfriend, I would be truly happy.”

“All I want is a guy to love me, is that too hard to ask?”

“I wish I had a love story like the Notebook!”

Sound familiar?

Shine Bright.

Summer is quickly coming to an end and schools are opening again. A time of football games, exams, homework, projects, band practice… With all this hustle and bustle we can quickly be consumed by the everyday demands of life. It’s easy to forget all the great things that happened during summer break. It’s easy to forget that commitment you made to God at your youth camp. It’s easy to forget how you were able to bless others through your missions trip.