by Tami:
A car accident ushered me into one of the most difficult periods of my life. I remember
looking up and seeing beautiful colors glowing through the upper left corner of the windshield where my head had hit the glass
and cracked it. I also remember looking down and seeing a bone sticking out of my right ankle. I was taken to
the hospital where I was told that I had broken all the bones in my right leg and crushed my ankle severely. The doctor
informed my parents there was a possibility that I might loose my foot as a result of my injuries. We began to pray.
After waking up from surgery, I had a tremendous amount of pain, and was taking very strong pain medication. I had to
endure eight additional surgeries to repair my ankle. This was the beginning of an eight month recovery.
Prior to this accident, I had always been a very impatient person. While I was on the operating
table the Lord was working on more than just my leg – He began to change me. Through this trial, the Lord gave me some
of the greatest gifts I have ever received: peace of mind, tolerance, patience, the ability to smile through difficult
times, and the ability to make others smile and laugh. The Lord gave me the strength to keep my faith no matter what.
As a result of this experience, my faith has been tested, and I have learned to rely on the Lord to be my strength.
One of the hardest adjustments I was forced to make, was allowing others to take care
of me. I have a caring heart and enjoy helping others. Over these last few months, however, I have had to allow others
to help me. One of the greatest things people have done for me throughout this time is to pray. There is one very
dear elderly lady; I call “Ma” that I have spent much time with. Her prayers have meant so much to
me. I have felt God’s arms around me as we’ve prayed and studied the Bible together. This has been such
a blessing to me.
The love of my family and friends has sustained me throughout these seven months.
I am especially grateful to my mother and stepfather for the excellent care they provided. After spending an entire
month in the hospital, I was still totally dependent on others to care for me. I was not allowed to put any pressure
on my leg. My family prayed around my bed every day and continues to pray for my full recovery. Our loving
pastor visited me almost everyday since the accident and was a major source of encouragement to me. Other things that have
helped me through this difficult time are the many people who have called, sent cards, and visited me.
During my long recovery process, I have definitely felt the Lords presence. I have
had a lot of time by myself and have used this time to let the Lord draw me closer to Himself. This time with the Lord
continues to be an encouragement to me since I’ve come home. After staying with my parents for six months, the
day finally came when I could go to my own home. It has been a challenge, but it has been good to be home again.
There are several miracles I have seen come out of this experience. The fact that I did
not loose my foot and will walk again is one of the greatest miracles I have ever experienced. Praise God! I have learned
that God will never leave me and loves me no matter what. It has been almost eight months since the accident
and the Lord has continued to bless me. I am now looking forward to putting some minor weight on my foot soon.
I am so excited. The next step, somewhere in the future, is to begin to learn how to walk again. I am certain
that God and I have quite a journey ahead of us, but I consider this a great and exciting journey. I am ready for what
he has in store for me. The Lord has carried me through some difficult days and will continue to hold me by the hand
with every step I take.
© 2009 by Shelley Myrick - All rights reserved
“God never gives strength for tomorrow, or for the next hour, but only
for the strain of the minute.”
