On June 19th 2003, I left home early, having a lot of errands to do. I also wanted
 to visit two friends in the local nursing home. The weather was hot and I wanted
to get things done as early as possible.

After a quick trip to my eye doctor for a prescription, I shopped at a couple of our
local stores. Then I went to the nursing home. To my disappointment, both friends
 were asleep. I decided not to wake them.

On the way out of town I stopped at the grocery store. My sister was coming for
a short visit and I wanted to get a few special items for her. I never like to cook
 with company and wanted to have a few convenience items on hand.

I left the grocery store and started home. I was thinking about what I would do after arriving home. My son’s computer had been causing problems and I intended to go
 to his home and see if I could help with that.

Though it makes no sense, in my mind's eye I always feel the impact before
seeing the huge dump truck heading toward me. The blow on the driver’s side
knocked me to my left side almost onto the passenger seat. I remember saying,
 "Oh God-this is bad." The car began to spin and, although I was never unconscious,
I lost track of where my car was going. On that particular stretch of the road, there
 is a bank on one side and a valley on the other. I had no idea which way I was turning
 or (since I was on a highway) if another vehicle might hit me. In other words, I didn’t know if I would live or die. As the car spun, I was softly saying, "Help me Jesus, -oh Jesus, help me." In my heart I meant "Help me live or, if it is Your will, help me die." The Lord was in that car with me, because I felt a peace that in indescribable. I knew
that either way I would be o.k......I need not fear.

The car came to rest on the bank, headed in the opposite direction than I had been traveling. I knew my neck and shoulder had been injured but I didn’t know how badly. What I knew for sure was that I was alive, not paralyzed, and Jesus had been with me.



Within a few moments the paramedics were there. They decided that since I had neck injuries it would be best to cut me out of the car. This was a long and frightening
process but it also gave me time to witness to the rescue workers. When they told me how 'lucky' I was to be alive I would tell them luck was not involved, and that Jesus
had been with me. Some listened, some turned away.



The accident happened 2 months ago. I still am bothered by it and when I can’t sleep
at night I sometimes see the truck again. And I immediately remind myself that God
was true to His Word. Not at any point did He leave me and I know that if it is God’s
 will that I leave this world through death and not the Rapture, He will be there to
hold me and take the sting of death away.



When that truck hit me, I didn’t have time to repent---to make things right between
 me and God. I was so grateful that I had accepted Christ years ago. What about you?
 Is there something you need to talk over with God? If today, you are called to leave
this world, are you sure your account has been settled-...so that all you have to do is
 call His name? If not it can be...


‘Long ago-down on my knees; Long ago-I settled it all.

Yes the old account was settled long ago. And the record’s clear today-

For He washed my sins away And the old account was settled...

Long ago’

Leda Winebarger
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