THANKFUL FOR GOD’S MERCIES
On October 13 my husband Lindell was riding his bicycle when a young woman in a pickup truck came out from a side road and hit him, knocking him over to the median of the road. He had four serious fractures on his right side and could not get up.

Why did God allow this to happen? We have been faithful to the Lord and have always tried to put God’s work first in our lives. There is something important He wants to teach us, and He also wants to use us to draw someone else to Jesus.

God is always merciful and His angels are always around us.. Before the ambulance came, a young man stopped on this busy road, stood beside Lindell and prayed for him to fully recover. Later we found out his name is Matt. He was on his way to a new job but he took the time to show God’s compassion. He had recently yielded his life to the Lord and was simply trying to follow God’s leading.

We are grateful that Lindell did not have a serious head injury. He had a cut above his right eyebrow and on the back of his head but no brain injury. Since this incident, three people have told me of friends who recently had serious brain trauma from a bicycle accident. Lindell did have broken ribs, a fracture of the pelvic bone and femur and ankle on the right side. But he was awake and alert when the ambulance and police arrived. I was called and talked to him before he was taken to the hospital.

Someone called the police to the scene. Eventually we learned that the driver did have some auto insurance. We could never pay for all the medical treatment Lindell has needed, but insurance should pay for everything! We have a Christian attorney who is helping us.

Jesus said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever. Whatever our trial, He feels our pain and He gives us strength to endure.

Six weeks later, Lindell is still receiving medical treatment and physical therapy to regain his health, having lost about fifteen pounds of weight and muscle power. He has little appetite but is slowly gaining strength. He is in an excellent skilled nursing center having physical therapy. Soon he will be able to push himself up out of bed and swivel to a wheelchair. We hope he will be able to come home before Christmas and be able to walk again. Recovery is slow for someone 81 years old.

The apostle Paul felt overwhelmed by his physical ailments and pleaded for relief. In answer the Lord told him, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul testified that he was satisfied by God’s answer. He said, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9). When we go through illness and other trials it is wonderful to know that the Lord is with us. In the meantime, we learn to lean on Him in our weakness.

Lindell’s accident and injuries have tested our confidence in God’s goodness, but we are encouraged by the words in James 1:3-4 (GW translation). "You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won't need anything." When we think of how much worse Lindell’s injuries could be, we know that God has not tested us above what we can bear. His grace is always available. His mercies are obvious even in the midst of our trials. I am grateful that my husband was not taken from me.

I have been able to share the way of salvation with Lindell’s roommate, a man who was robbed and beaten and tied up for three days in his own home, left to die. Perhaps Bruce will come to know Jesus personally. Also, we believe God will bring a wonderful change in other lives. God resists the proud but He gives grace to the humble and all who will learn from their suffering. May confident faith and abundant joy radiate out from our lives, whatever the circumstances of our lives. This is impossible in our own strength but nothing is impossible with God.

We know that God is going to bring some special blessings out of this hardship. We believe His promise that "All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose" (Rom. 8:28).

Look back into your life and note the many blessings God has given you through the very heartaches you have suffered. Let’s thank God for His goodness, whatever the circumstances of our lives this Thanksgiving season. God has only good purposes in view, that He might give us peace and not disaster. He plans to give us a future and a hope. (Jer. 29:11)
– Rosemary Watson