There are experiences of God’s grace that leave a lasting impression upon our lives. In our family, November is a marker of His grace. Four years ago, my son Paul turned 25 and had just returned from business travel in Japan. We were all happy and excited for him.
Then the unexpected happened. Paul was in a bad car accident. The vehicle in which he was the passenger was going at a high speed and spun out of control, crossed into the other lane and was hit on the right back side. The result was fatal for the passenger of the other car. Both my son and his friend were seriously injured.
When my wife and I arrived at the hospital, the receptionist at the emergency room directed us to where our son was being treated. All we knew was that he had been in a car accident. We didn’t know the extent of his injuries.
Paul was in a state of shock and nervous. His t-shirt was ripped off. There were blood stains on parts of his body, and his neck was being supported by a brace. At that moment we realized the seriousness of the situation. Paul had fractured his neck. He was millimeters away from being paralyzed.
Several days later he went into surgery for spinal stabilization. His recovery process took time but within three months he was back to work. It was the emotional and spiritual healing that took much longer. But through prayer and faith, today Paul is doing well. Thank God for His grace!
I still wrestle with the mystery that someone was killed, and my son was spared. When I see Paul, the scars on the front and back of the neck are constant reminders of that painful accident but also of God’s grace in his life and our family. When others see them, Paul tells his story of the accident and others learn about God’s mercy and love.
There isn’t a day that goes by that we aren’t mindful of God’s grace, but especially as we approach Paul’s birthday each year. His scars are painful reminders of that tragic day and how close we came to losing him, but also of the abundance of grace that was poured out on our family.
My prayer: Lord, teach us to be mindful of your grace in our lives and thankful for your loving mercy.
Have you experienced God’s grace and mercy in your life? Share your story with us. I look forward to hearing how God’s grace has touched your painful experiences.
