a hard eucharisteo

As you know, I've been reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. The main idea in the book is eucharisteo, being thankful and joyful in ALL things, the good, the bad, the easy, the hard. I have been daily practicing eucharisteo, looking for things to be thankful for throughout the day and it has changed me in more ways than I expected and I am forever grateful!

On Friday afternoon, I was in a car accident. I was rear-ended and then hit the car in front of me. I was stopped at a stop light. The driver of the car behind me told me that he was looking down and when he looked up, he saw the light had turned green so he proceeded to drive. What he failed to realize was that no one in front of him had started moving. As he hit me, I fell forward, was stopped by my seat belt, and then went back and hit my head on the head rest. I think I was in shock, along with my friend Carol, who was sitting in the passenger seat. We looked at each other and said "were we just in an accident?" We all pulled safely over to the side of the road and exchanged our information. I called the police and they informed me that they only come out if it is an injury accident or if someone refuses to give out their information.

In the days that have followed I have been in a lot of pain...my neck hurts, my back hurts, my left wrist is sprained, my hips were hurting and I walk like a snail. I am so thankful for all the care and concern my family, friends, co-workers, and my students and their families! The kids have been giving me back massages, gentle hugs ,and asking me how I am feeling.

I have been going to a chiropractor and that has helped. Fortunately, the damage to my car wasn't too bad, it's not totaled! :) I've gotten a few estimates and they all have said that they will have to replace the back gate/door of my car.

As a result of this incident, I have been finding many things to be thankful for in this situation. Thankful that I am alive, thankful that my injuries and pain are not worse, thankful that the damage to my car is minimal...I know God is sovereign and that He has a plan and a purpose in this...one thing my dad said that really stuck with me was how much God loves me and how He is watching over me and protecting me!

Thank you, God, for watching over me, protecting me, and loving me! I know You are healing me and taking my pain away. I love You! Amen