In the middle of the night, my husband and I were awakened by the telephone. Alarmed, I listened intently to my husband’s conversation to determine who was calling. It was our 21 year old son. He had fallen asleep at the wheel while driving home from a friend’s house. This was his second wreck in three years. After escaping the first crash, I felt sudden terror as I anxiously awaited to hear if he’d been so fortunate this time. He assured his dad that he was okay, but the car was totaled. “Just look for the flashing lights of the emergency vehicles on the interstate heading north and you’ll know where I am,” Mitch said, still shaken by the accident. Mitch was only four months old when his biological father died. Since he was four years old, Pat has been the only dad he has ever known. Pat left immediately after receiving Mitch’s call, leaving me behind with our other two children who were still sleeping. I waited alone with no one to keep me company, but my worry.
When Pat arrived, he found Mitch’s demolished car hugging the mangled 50 foot guardrail that had kept him from crossing the highway into oncoming traffic. Mitch, however, had not suffered a single scratch, bruise, or broken bone—not one. His dad was stunned, but the policeman was astonished even more. The officer told Mitch, “I’m proud of you, son, for being clean, but you still shouldn’t be out this late at night. And If I were you, I wouldn’t go home and go to bed. I’d go to the nearest church and thank God for saving your life because He obviously has a purpose for it. I’ve seen many wrecks just like yours, but I’ve never seen anyone walk away from a scene like this one. Your mom and dad should be standing in the funeral home today looking over your dead body. Instead, a guard rail stopped your car from crossing into oncoming traffic, the only guard rail in miles of this highway. You stepped out of a mangled car in one piece as if nothing happened. That’s a miracle if I’ve ever seen one!” It was as if God was speaking directly through the officer. Pat drove Mitch home in silence. The policeman had said it all. What more could he add?
Sunday afternoon Pat and I drove Mitch to the junkyard to retrieve Mitch’s personal belongings from the car. Pat pulled up in front of the damaged car. He and Mitch got out and went into the office to present the registration form that allowed us to enter the car. It was then, sitting there alone, that I noticed the date 9-9 painted in large orange numbers across the windshield of the mangled car. That’s when it hit me. Mitch’s accident occurred on the anniversary of his father’s death. Stranger still, they were exactly the same age. My worst fear was staring me in the face. All of sudden, as my eyes fixed on the date, I realized it was a message from God—an undeniable clear sign from above. Mitch was in the hands of God. “That’s right,” I said to myself. “He is. Therefore, Satan, you can’t scare me anymore.”
God has a different plan for Mitch than he had for his dad. I always knew that truth intellectually, but that day in the junkyard it became a reality. How could I doubt God anymore when my son walked away from a near death experience on the anniversary of his father’s death? I couldn’t. Not only did this experience prove that God is in control, but it confirmed that I was not. The only power or control I have as a parent is to get on my knees and relinquish all my fears to God while trusting in His good and perfect plan for my children. The only power and control you and I have over any fear is to place it in the care of God.
You and I must not allow ourselves to be taunted day and night by “What if?” We must trust God’s plan. Only then will fear give way to peace.
This excerpt was taken from my book, An Untroubled Heart…Finding a Faith Stronger Than All My Fear
Share a comment about how you’ve overcome a certain fear and enter to win a copy of my book!
Kandyss says
Hi, Micca! I really needed to read this blog and the daily devotional that you wrote for today! My husband and I are at a crossroads with our jobs and our future, and while he is in the midst of stepping out on faith, I am apprehensive about our future finances. I have been praying for GOD to show me how it will all work out, but instead I should have been praying that I can walk in faith and follow the path that He has made for my life. Thank you for reminding me of faith!
Sometimes I struggle with "what if" – especially since a very close cousin of mine passed away seven years ago as of Wednesday. Whenever I think about his passing or worry about one of my family members, I remind myself (GOD reminds me) that He is in control and that everything works out for the good of the believer (Rom 8:28). I do not know what may happen in my future or the future of my loved ones, but I can enjoy life in the present and make a point to spend time with those I love!
Thanks for your word on overcoming fear! May GOD continue to bless you and your loved ones!
Melissa says
Hello!
At this point in my life, there are soo many unknowns and it does scare me. I'm getting married, graduating with my master's degree, and (prayerfully) starting a new job…all happening next summer. It scares me because my fiance is in the military, and my job field is not portable…Will I find a good job in the location that they send him (which at this point is unknown as well!)?
However, the last few words of your blog prompted me to think of my experience this summer. I was doing research in Brazil, and in the last couple weeks, the home I was living in was robbed. We were basically held hostage while they went through the home, and I had a gun pointed at me. Needless to say, that was the most frightening experience of my life, BUT GOD safely brought all of us through it!
Just thinking about that helps me remember that God is always there for me and that He has a plan for me, and that He will make a way for me wherever my fiance is stationed next year. It takes a near-death experience like that to make me realize that all I need to do is trust GOD. Thanks Micca!
Tea with Tiffany says
So thankful to see how great God is in this powerful and personal example. Fear is crippling, I've lived it. Thank God I am no longer bound by it.
What a miracle to read about Mitch. Thankful he is unharmed.
God bless you!
Colleen says
Micca,
I have been faced many times with the fear of the unknown. Last year, before a major surgery, I was so terrified! I went outside at night, and paused to look up at the canopy of stars. I realized then that the God who watches over me every day would surely watch over me during my surgery the next day. On the way to the hospital, I read Psalm 34:4 "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from al my fears. And vs. 8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"
Unfortunately I got to use these verses again last March, as I dealt with two surgeries for breast cancer. Two months later, my husband was laid off permanently. So we had many "unknowns" to deal with all at once. Some have been resolved, and others linger on. The only constant through it all is faith in God, that He will always be there, right by my side, holding me up I need Him to. There is no greater comfort than knowing we are not alone. Thank you for your inspirational devotional and posting today.
amygabs1 says
It takes a crisis to change has always crept in to my thinking when life slams you in the face. Only then do individuals seem to evaluate where does my hope, comfort and reassurance lie.
Rachel Seabrook says
Wow, what an amazing story. It has really heartened my day.Am feeling low and miserable and wondering what God's plan is for my life….long story. It is always such an encouragement to know that a) others are in that same boat and
b) that God wins through.
Thank you.
KELLY W says
Very timely devotion for my husband and I as well as others during this time of economic stress! My husband was laid off last May and the company I work fordecreased our pay by 10% due to the lack of business. I drove to my best friends mother's funeral today 2-1/2 hrs. there and another 2-1/2 hrs. back and I listened to gospel music and prayed to God the entire trip to give me the wisdom that he will provide and to not doubt him. I know this because I believe! I pray for all who are financially stressed in the world and that relief will soon come. Kelly
Julie says
Thank you so much!! God had your devotional for today for a reason. I lost my job last Friday morning and we've been thrown into the path of the unknown. I have been doing my best to leave it all in God's hands, but today I was starting to get worried about how we were going to survive this financially. I needed the reminder that I need to just follow God and He will provide for our family. I know He is in control and I need to focus on that. Thank you again, for following God's leading in your own life and how He is able to use it to be a blessing to others. Keep following Him faithfully!
Julie =)
sweetpea.hull@gmail.com
Debra says
Thank You for your story. I will not doubt God anymore. He is Faithful and gives Encouragment right when you need it. HIS perfect timing.
arfa8ebc says
So glad that Mitch survived the car accident. God can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can asked or think!
My2Blessings says
Micca,
What a powerful story and reassurance of God's love and care for your Mitch and your family! Thank you for sharing it and reminding us that no matter what we fear, God can give us freedom from fear as one of your readers commented when she shared Psalm 34:4 "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears".
I am facing the fear and uncertainty of marital difficulties and a chaotic family life since adopting our last child a year ago. We stepped out in faith to give this child a home when another family who adopted her from Ecuador 5 moths earlier decided they couldn't keep her because of behavior problems. The storms of the last year have just about torn our family apart, but we are getting help. My husband and I are getting godly counsel for our situation and I know friends and family have us covered in prayer too. God IS with us, He will not forsake us. He IS watching over us and protecting us from harm. THANK YOU for this reminder today through your powerful testimony. I NEEDED IT today!
Blessings!
Debbie in CO
AnooCre8ion says
Hi Micca, I came here from reading the Proverbs 31 devotional today.
It was very reassuring for me to read it as we face some unknowns as well. My husband has not worked for the last year and a half and my daughter is in her junior year of high school with some very high hopes of college. I continue to hold fast to my profession of faith, but there are some days when I just wonder what will happen. We are also facing a huge hindrance that we've been trusting God to work out.
I am happy to hear that your son is ok and just wanted to say thank you for your post as it reminds me that He is not surprised at where I am in life today nor is He unaware of my needs.
Blessings,
Vickie
Carol says
Thank you so..much for the devotional.
I too am facing many unknowns.My husband asked for a divorce after 38 years of marriage. God is faithful. He
Knows best and has is in control of every situation.
Jennifer says
Isn't it amazing how God didn't allow you to realize the signifance of that date until after you knew your son was alright. I love when I can look back over a situation and see little glimpses into God's timing in a situation.
Nearly 2 years ago, my husband and I put our house up for sale and surprisingly, it sold almost immediately. We were only given 30 days to maove out and had no idea where we were going. As the days ticked down, everything we found fell through for one reason or another and we ended up asking my husband's parents if we could live there. Thankfully, they agreed.
The idea was very difficult for me because my mother in law and I have always had a difficult relationship as she is very verbally abusive when no one else is around. She said horrible things in the past and now I was going to live with her…and expose my 4 young children to it as well. Just the fact that we were homeless with 4 small kids was fear enough. There was no room for wrong decisions about a house either since my husband had been earning enough to barely keep us above the poverty live for 4 years prior while he had gone back to school.
I learned during that time to just take ONE moment at a time…no more because otherwise the fear of the unknown would overwhelm me. I learned that in order to overcome fear, faith is the only thing I have…trust that even when I don't know the way He does.
Your post echoed my thoughts exactly and as I continue to have fears of various kinds, trying to hold on to that faith although difficult at times, is the only hope I have.
I am a worrier and a planner by nature so fear always has a place in my daily life, what a good reminder you gave me today.
B His Girl says
Powerful story of the Lord making His Presence known to many. Thank you for sharing. B
Racquel Simone says
Wow! Powerful. As a 25 year old I Can appreciate this story so much!