“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2

Yesterday about mid-morning we got a call from a friend of a friend that started out with words similar to “There’s been an accident.”  From the moment I heard those words I felt a familiar fear in the pit of my stomach and tears surfaced. The fear grew as our friend went on to briefly describe the injuries of our friend to the extent that she could as a second-hand source. Steve got ready and headed off to the emergency room to be there with the family and offer prayer and support in any way he could. I sent off a prayer request to our church’s prayer chain and the church’s Facebook page and texted our daughter Joni asking her to pray. And then I waited.

It wasn’t terribly long before Steve called to say that our friend would be OK. The accident was severe and the relatively light injuries received by our friend and the driver of the truck within which he rode bear the imprint of the hand of God somehow enfolding and protecting them. Their vehicle was older, the crash a fog-inspired head-on at nearly full speed into an immoveable object with no air bags to soften the blow, and yet the likelihood is both of them will be released from the hospital just a day after the event. I felt and still feel today huge relief and gratitude for the magnitude of this gift to a family we love. As our friend recovers every ache and pain I hear of will feel like a benediction.

When Steve called me with the good news he was in tears and a self-described ‘basket-case’. When I spoke to Joni she shared how she had to read through my initial text a couple of times because she couldn’t stop the tears as she read the request. We are a shell-shocked family immensely more able to share in the fears and grief of others because of our own experience. My joy at the outcome of this scare is powerful.

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12