Being Grateful Even When The Wheels Fall Off
If you know my husband, you know we call him the Energizer Bunny. It is nothing for him to run six miles or bike 30 miles before cutting the grass in the heat. His whole day is basically one of being physical if given the option. His sister is the female version of the Energizer Bunny. Their fervor intimidates me. I am health conscience and love to work out, but nowhere near their extent. Finally, on the last evening of our vacation, I worked up the courage to share how I felt with my husband. I explained this was the reason I had not joined in bike rides with him and his sister. I knew this had caused me to miss out, and I felt like an outsider in my own family.
No surprise, my husband graciously wanted to include me the next morning on his last adventure–a short ride before the six-hour drive to Las Vegas airport for our departing flight back to Maryland. Our path would let me experience the beauty of Mammoth Lakes, California–oh, why had I hesitated to be honest with him? However, in addition to the view, an even more significant experience awaited, one that would have me reflecting on God’s provision and protection in the days to come.
John and I had just stopped at an overlook on the paved bike trail to soak in the majestic beauty of Mammoth Lakes when he pointed the way down a trail he had run just the day before. Sure! Little did I know a big decline in the trail, brakes which did not slow my 17-20 mph speed, and a bend in the path I failed to navigate would result in the bike stopping–but not me.
As I laid there, my amazingly calm, but bossy, husband would not let me nap on the bike trail–all I wanted to do at that moment, hoping the pain would subside. He thought it wise to call the paramedics, even while I begged him not to do so. I was willing to have help, but only on my terms. Thankfully, he didn’t listen. Also, I am thankful no one told me the extent of my injuries–shattered collarbone and three broken ribs. I was determined to walk out on my own, and the paramedics let me. This earned me the title of one of the calmest and most determined people with such injuries they have seen.
My accident caught our family off guard. It could not have happened at a worse time. We were due to be back in Maryland on Tuesday, rest Wednesday, load a moving van for my mother’s Thursday, and unload her on Friday. Then I was to leave five days later to drive with my daughter to Houston, Texas. Instead, I was facing surgery.
Stubbornly I asked the doctor, “Okay, so I can travel tomorrow rather than today?” I asked. His reply, “It may be three days,” was not acceptable, and I told him it would not work with my schedule. Ladies, at that point, he wisely ordered a CT scan.
I love the story in Exodus of Moses and the Israelite’s fleeing Egypt. It shows God’s faithfulness and provision every step of the Israelite’s journey.
And the LORD went before them in a pillar of cloud to guide their way by day, and in a pillar of fire to give them light by night, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place before the people. (Exodus 13:21-22)
Just as He went before Moses and the Israelite’s, God was guiding every step of our adventure day and night, and He provided for me in so many unexpected ways.
1. I was not wearing a helmet that day – go ahead and lecture me!!! The fact that I did not go over the handlebars and hit my head but instead fell diagonally and on my shoulder was most certainly God’s protection.
2. The paramedics were willing to let me set the pace, which helped me stay strong for what I would need in the days ahead.
3. The injury occurred on the last day of vacation rather than during vacation while we were in more remote locations.
4. The hotel, Southwest, and Enterprise made all the travel changes smoothly with no penalties. And my ribs were not at risk of puncturing my lungs so we could travel the next day.
5. Our precious family and friends covered us with prayer. God sent caring friends to help us with my mom’s move. My loving family now did for me all that I could not do on my own.
6. My sweet daughter stayed with me at the hospital overnight so John could get the rest he needed for the travel ahead.
7. The nurse and my daughter found a way to let me shower after the accident. Oh, how wonderful that shower felt!
8. The Doctor gave me the clearance to travel to Houston if I felt up to it, and along the way, I enjoyed precious time with my daughter and family.
I am now the proud owner of a plate connecting my bone for my collarbone, and I am only about 50% into my recovery 10 weeks later. It would be so easy to become like the grumbling Israelite’s who saw God’s miracles firsthand, and I confess I have had my own grumbling moments when I face some of my limitations. The healing process is slow and painful, and at times, beyond frustrating. But in those grumbling moments, I stop to remind myself to be grateful how God did and continues to go before me day and night with His faithfulness and provision – my own pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
Do you have your own story of God’s protection and guidance? I’m quite sure you do. As ministry wives, we can often see the hand of God in our lives, in our stories–after the fact. Amid the journey, we can be found grumbling, doubting, fearing, controlling, managing, yelling, and even screaming at God. Wrestling through the trial usually ends in our complete surrender to the One who has been guiding and leading the entire journey. He has numbered our days. (Psalm 139) He has ordered our steps. (Isaiah 26:3) This season will you join us as we express gratitude for His promise of presence, provision, power, and peace–even when we don’t like it or understand it or realize what God is doing at the time!
Michelle Mackall is the mom to three boys and one girl. Known for just a little sass, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Shepherd University where she met her husband of almost 28 years, John. She currently works in the office at a Maryland middle school. She enjoys studying the Bible with women and youth and learning about the amazing Lord she serves. She has been blessed to serve alongside her husband at the church they planted fifteen years ago.
