One Mississippi, two Mississippi

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

I posted a group of these four years ago leading up to the 10 year death anniversary of our daughter Jordyn. We are now 7 weeks away from 14 years, but I think I am supposed to repost some of them.

I had a close call this morning. I drive around 50,000 miles a year for work. So, I am probably more likely to be involved in a close call. But I try to be careful. I have a lot to go home to.

This morning I approached a semi going slow. There was a car behind the semi. I was approaching in the left lane. At the last second, the car changed lanes to pass. My car ended up pretty close to that concrete barrier that keeps you in your lane. Those work. There was a pick-up right behind me and he ended up pretty close according to my rear view mirror. The driver of the car finally ended up seeing me and swerved back into her lane.

I found myself thankful that my dad taught me to drive. He taught me to count cars. Otherwise, I would have never known the truck was behind me so I could not brake too hard. Paying attention to your own lane is good. But you have to pay attention to what is around you, or dangerous things can get too close. He taught me about blind spots. Some adults do not realize you can hide a car in a blind spot.

There were four drivers involved today. I would bet the semi driver never knew a thing happened and he did nothing wrong. The rest of us probably attribute avoiding an accident to luck, skill, or intervention. I’ll go with intervention. The whole incident took under two seconds. I have thought about it all day.

Jordyn’s wreck occurred in the span of about 325 feet in just under two seconds. The portion of that prior to complete loss of control was under 100 feet. The last driving maneuver took an instant. In 325 feet two kids died. I have the KBI diagram at home. I have thought of it every day for 10 years.

Is God any less on the day the wreck happens than He is the day it doesn’t? I think it happened this morning to remind me that He is who He says He is. I am not. His plan 10 years ago is not one that I like. He is not required to seek my permission.

Do you wonder why bad things happen?

Do you think God sees “bad” the same as we do?

Challenge: What lessons have you learned in life that could help you today? Do you have blind spots?

Rick Claiborn