On Aug. 14, 1994, I was in a major car accident which resulted in the death of my mother, Mary. Another vehicle crossed the center line and we collided head on.
I felt my life was spiraling down to darkness - it happened so fast. My steering wheel was spinning. When my windshield broke out it seemed the glass was floating toward me slowly. Then my mother said, "Oh, my God," and I knew it would be extremely bad. When I woke up, the passenger side windshield was shoved right against my mother's face, and an emergency crew was there. I kept poking at her, trying to get her to wake up. Then I realized she was dead.
My daughter-in-law was in the back seat, her head was bleeding. They took her by helicopter to Parkview in Fort Wayne. She spent two months in the hospital with a dislocated hip, and required surgery and therapy. I had surgery on my right leg, hip and knee. This was the first of three surgeries plus therapy, which lasted almost two months.
Officers told my family they did not know how I survived the accident.
I questioned God. Why was I not taken when my mother was? Why did this happen to me?
Eventually, I realized that I knew Jesus as Savior but not as Lord and personal friend. I had not genuinely committed my life to him.
So I want to tell others - do not wait for a crisis to know Jesus, that could be too late.
I feel God wants me to share I Corinthians 6:10: "Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols or commit adultery or are male prostitute or practice homosexuality or are thieves or greedy people or drunkards or are abusive or cheat people, none of these will inherit the kingdom of God." (New Living Translation).
But God forgives everything if we come to him.
All of us get involved with our families, work and temporary stuff. It's easy to slowly walk away from Jesus' love and salvation, as I did. The good news is that Jesus suffered and died on the cross for all of us. Then God raised him from the dead on the third day. He is alive and is enthroned in Heaven. He wants all people to be in Heaven with him someday. He does not want any of us in Hell, a place of eternal fire. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God" (John 3:3 NLT).
The free gift of salvation is for all of us. All you have to do is pray and ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins and commit your life completely to him.
It is so awesome when you commit your life to Jesus. You'll receive the Holy Spirit and joy within your heart.
Since I have committed myself completely to Jesus, I am full of joy. It is impossible to express on paper the love I have received from him.
I hope you will allow the joy of Jesus to shine through you. May the grace and love of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
