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Life is fragile.  We were given a reminder this past Monday, on our way to Chicago to celebrate our 9 year anniversary.

We were about 2.5 hours into our 3 hours journey, and could see the Sears Tower calling to us from the skyline.  We were laughing, enjoying good conversation together.  I truly am blessed to have married an incredible friend.  The fact that 9 years in, we can still go through comfortable rhythms of silent moments, serious conversation, and story-telling-laughter for hours – I love this woman.

But in the midst of a story, my wife pointed ahead in the road, “Is that a tire?”  We had a split second to consider what was about to happen, as the wheel bounced across the road and smashed straight into the middle of our mini-van.

A few inches higher, and it would’ve come right through our windshield.  You may have never heard the story.

A few inches lower, and it would’ve smashed our bumper, smacking us with airbags that could’ve caused injury.

With the lunch hour traffic, and cars whizzing by on our right and left, it could have created a mass accident, and you may have heard of it in passing on the news.

But as it happened, it smashed in, destroying our engine, etc.  The brakes did their job, and an opening in traffic came just as I needed to get over before the van died completely.  The shop says over $7,000 of damage…so we’ll see what his insurance says.

The man at fault was very apologetic, and helped us get our van towed to a dealership where he worked out us getting a “loaner” car until things are figured out.  We believe God has been with us through it all, and are incredibly thankful to be alive/un-injured.  We were still able to go celebrate our anniversary (though with shaky legs!) in Chicago, and when we got home Tuesday night, we held and cuddled our girls in new ways.

It comes as a reminder of how precious life is.  How valuable each moment we have together should be.  How little and insignificant the things are that cause us to lose sight of all this.  Have you held your child today?  Have you held the ones you love in a way that says, “I’m blessed to have this privilege once more.”?

What are you waiting for? 🙂

Shaking, feeble legs.
Having walked and wandered.
A people with weak knees are given a place to stand.
At first, it seems a promise of land.

But the promise is more than dirt conquered by sword
It comes as a covenant that He will be Lord

So to cease with the striving
and cease with unrest.
Cease with your worries, anxiety and stress.

A Kingdom Forever, established by God
A son who’s father will always be present with rod.

A father correcting, and guiding with love,
that can never be taken, and more than enough.

A long list of “what if”’s now find they can cease,
With the arrival of God’s new covenant of Peace.

“And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me. When he commits iniquity, I will punish him with a rod such as mortals use, with blows inflicted by human beings. But I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne shall be established for ever.”
2 Samuel 7:10-16

(wrote this to read to my church after pastor appreciation month, was supposed to stay 60 seconds or less)

60 seconds to drop a few words on the spot
about the love I got for my Moundford Fam
For the care they’ve shown as my children have grown
And they’ve known more about who I am.

For the cards, and the cookies, the smiles and the calls
But most of all for the love overflowing
For the fact that God’s only still beginning to sprout
The fruit from the seeds that we’re sewing.

A Michigander I am, and I’ll always be,
But Decatur I surely call home.
You’ve seen me be goofy, make you proud on TV,
And love my family like one of your own.

I’ve seen you give of your time and your money,
‘Til backs ache and sweat pours off your brows.
I’ve seen a city transformed by your love,
Without anyone taking credit with bows.

And so after a month of receiving your thanks,
Your cards and appreciation.
It seems a short poem is like using a squirt gun
To fill a Semi at a gas station.

So I hope you will know throughout the whole year
Just how much my family you are.
And together with Christ as our center and source,
I look forward to Him taking us far.  (-ther)

🙂