Though We Stumble

February 6, 2017

Day 36: Crushed Without A Scratch:
"He will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone."—Psalm 91:11-12

Susan, a patient of Dr. Anderson's, by all accounts, should have been killed in the accident in which her small car went under a semi that had jackknifed, ripping off the roof as well as both front tires. Not only did she survive the crash without so much as a scratch on her, but so did her husband and two children.

Anderson uses the story to exemplify God's sovereignty. It was obvious to Anderson that only God "and his angels could have protected them in such a catastrophic situation." It was a miracle of "healing and protection."

I have experienced a similar situation when I was in my early twenties. I was driving my boyfriend's truck to the lake. He and I were going to meet up with some friends. The vehicle in front of us was blocking my view of the road so I went to pass it. I did the usual check of the left hand side, but somehow I did not see that there was a car coming.  By all accounts, like Susan, we should not have survived the incident.  We were head on with the other car. I could see the panicked face of the other driver. As if in a dream a film came over my eyes and then we were past the car and on our side of the road again. It was as if God reached down with his hand and shielded us. There really is no other explanation for why we did not collide with that car. I tried to play it off, like I had seen the car and knew what I was doing.  Inside, my heart was racing and I thanked God for saving us.

Day 37: Learning to Walk
"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." —Psalm 37:23-24

In the entry that is actually for today, February 6, Anderson shares the story of Ron.  Ron was a "local farmer who raised hogs, tobacco, and six children—his favorite crop," Anderson jokes.  When his children were learning to walk, "Ron would hold out a thick finger for them to grip as they careened along."  He did the same for his grandchildren.  When his wife passed away he was the one who held the family together.  He was their rock and their support, so when he had a stroke and was found face down in a field, his children were rightfully dismayed. "Dad was always the strong one. He never wavered." Luckily, Ron, though he had suffered a stroke, survived, and after four months was able to walk on his own. When Ron came to visit Dr. Anderson he said, "The Lord helped me stand back up on my own two feet." Just as Ron had done for his children and grandchildren, God offered His hand to help steady Ron as he learned to walk again.

Anderson uses the story to remind us that when we are holding the hand of God, though we stumble we will not fall.  Perhaps yesterday's entry should have been titled "we all stumble."