“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90‬:‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I believed that I had a pretty good handle on life and death. I’d survived widowhood. I’ve helped others get through grief. I understood how quickly death can change everything. But that was before Saturday.

Saturday, I faced my own mortality. I watched a car hit a concrete barrier, spin and head towards me. It was as if it was coming in slow motion and there was no way to escape. I remember the sound of the metal crunching on impact and thinking “Well, that’s gonna leave a mark!” I remember seeing the windshield crackle and break. I remember feeling out of control and just waiting to stop spinning. I closed my eyes and waited.

What I didn’t realize was that the car was rolling over, not spinning around.

When movement and scraping stopped, I opened my eyes to chaos and confusion. I was still in my car, laying on my left side. It seemed almost immediately, I heard voices asking if I was hurt and the window was being peeled away. I was confused when I was looking out of the sunroof. Then, the phone started ringing.

My daughter was calling asking if I was okay. Then my husband called to say he was on his way. And then my son called. I couldn’t find my phone, but I could reach the display on the dash to answer. I was told later that I should have added some context when I said I was laying on the ground when talking to my son. I didn’t mention I was still in the car. I couldn’t figure out how they knew about the wreck so quickly.

Many good Samaritans stopped to help. One gentleman brought a blanket to put under my head so I wasn’t laying in the glass. They talked to me and assured me help was on the way. It didn’t seem to be too long before the police and rescue crew arrived. They discussed how to get me out. I remember seeing my son running up the pavement toward the car and a policeman stopping him. Ultimately, the roof was cut and I was pulled out on a backboard.

Truthfully, I could have walked away at that point. My back hurt from being twisted. I had cuts on my arm. But, no major damage. But an ambulance ride was in the cards. After several hours of tests and waiting, I did walk out of the ER. Very sore, but walking!

It was after seeing the pictures of my beautiful red Mazda that I realized how close I had come to death. It’s being estimated that my car rolled 6 or 7 times. I traveled about a quarter of a mile from the impact site.

Every safety feature worked. The airbags deployed, the seatbelts held and the roll cage withstood the impact. And God protected me.

When we were car shopping 6 years ago, my husband was insistent on getting the best safety tested vehicle. The Mazda CX-5 topped the lists. I wasn’t overly concerned about safety, then. But, I am now! God’s hand is in every decision and every moment.

We are all one heartbeat away from death. I’m grateful to be able to hug my husband, kids and grandkids again. I’m grateful to be alive. I’m also confident when that last heartbeat occurs, I will open my eyes and run into the arms of my Savior.

I faced my mortality. I’m more confident than ever that I am to invest my life in the people around me. I’ve questioned some recent decisions, but this wreck has reinforced the importance of working closer to home. I need to exchange time on the road for more time with my family.

Life is too short to waste. I’ve been given another day to invest in others.

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬