purpose in injury
A few weeks ago our beloved potential daughter-in-law was in a car accident that could have (and should have, according to the Utah Highway Patrol officer we talked to in the emergency room) ended her life. She fell asleep driving on the freeway, with her cruise control set at 60 mph and drifted off the road into a tree, hitting it head on. Her seat belt, and the airbag, along with many little Kenyan angels floating above the car due to regular prayers offered from our missionary son, saved her life. My husband and I were called from the nurse to the E.R., and when I met Geo there he was already pretty misty at just the thought of losing this person that has become important to us.Later that day my husband felt the need to offer some counsel to M, and soothe her anxiety a little bit. What he said to her has stuck with me over these past weeks as I have had my own small struggle with a sinister sinus infection, coupled with two (yes, that's right) root canals.
"Being sick or hurt offers us the opportunity to slow down and ponder our lives. We get the chance to mentally and emotionally filter things out that we don't need. It helps us to feel a dependence on God and to look for our own purpose."
I am not naive enough to think this is an easy platform to reach, but sometimes it's about the ideal. Sometimes we need, as weak human beings, to find some kind of purpose in our sufferings and in our injuries. A little refining. Rub off some rough spots. I need that.
15 comments
That must have been scary! I'm glad she is okay, and hope she is recovered not just physically but emotionally and mentally. I fell asleep behind the wheel once, while driving through the Arizona desert. I did not suffer any serious injury, but it was pretty traumatic. I sincerely hope she is fine especially because you seem to care a lot about her.
Your husband's wise counsel is profoundy relevant in this age of exponential speed and change. Often times I'm caught up and lost in the rush to keep up with life, I lose perspective. Until I am forced to step back. It's good to have someone or something slow us down now and again.
(Kazzy, 2 root canals?!!!! Just awful! I feel for you.)
I hope she is doing well and recovering well and I hope that you are doing well too! I will say extra prayers for your family tonight!
It was such a pleasure to meet her. Having met her has given this entry an extra whallop. I also appreciate this entry because of the counsel from Gideon. Wow. She is lucky beyond words to have a friend in you two! :-)
I think Geo's advice was spot on. I've been through a few rough patches, as you are well aware, and no matter how bad things get I have always been able to find a silver lining of purpose in the trial. The harder I have had to search to find the purpose, the more meaningful it has been for me. As far as rubbing off the rough spots, everyone needs that.
That is such excellent advice. You have a very wise husband.
My dad gave me a blessing once in college when I had come down with pneumonia, and he said pretty much the same thing. I've tried to remember that throughout my life, but you're right. It is not easy.
And I hope you feel better. Root canals and sinus infections are awful...must be horrible together!
Sometimes the "little refining" and "smoothing the rough spots" feels more like sand blasting and the heat of a kiln. But, we carry on. We have to.
That is great advice to remember. I certainly hope she is doing better!! So very scarry--------and good luck with your sinus infection and root canals. YUK
Just having been sick this week and starting to feel better helps me to remember how great it is to feel great! I think we take that for granted, esp. if we don't know any different. (I waited for my husband--his parents weren't so great about it all as you are!)
Wow, that's a lot to go through!
Wise words from your husband, and a beautiful perspective from you.
I think this is very wise counsel, indeed. It's good to remember we aren't Superwomen and to pick what we most need to save our reserves for during that time. It really helps prioritize and hopefully the lesson sticks around for a little while.
Wow, I got teary eyed just reading about her accident. Yes, the limitations of our own mortality are very humbling. I hope you are recovering well from your 2 root canals.
I'm sorry you're having such a bad time of it. And I'm glad you have (as always) such a good perspective.
I hope you get feeling well and that everything is okay with M.
I really love both you and Gid for being so kind to me while I've been recovering. I think the physical healing truly began that night Rad helped with the blessing. After it was done I remember Gid asking "Are you going to take it easy?" As far as the emotional..in time :)
You are wonderful. Glad to know I"m not the only one who hopes to be the potential daughter-in-law.
Xoxo
June
And sometimes, we just need to be quiet long enough to listen. So glad she's okay!
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