This past Sunday morning I looked at my phone during our brief, 3 minute intermission at Life Church and read a text message from my cheer coach Alicia. The message read:
''Good Morning! God saved Asia's life last night!!! She was in a horrible car crash where she was thrown from the vehicle through the winshield. No broken bones! Only scratches and cuts. Swollen and sore...His angels were in charge! Nick, Brooke and I went to Dallas in the middle of the night where they had taken her. She was awake, being our amazing funny Asia! Praise God today...her life was spared!!!!''
I can not adequately express to you my feelings as I read that text. I was so overcome with emotion. While everyone was greeting one another, grabbing a donut and refilling their coffee cups, I was sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't believe this had happened. First, that my dear friend and teammate had been in a horrific accident, and second that where most people would be crippled by many broken bones or death, Asia came away almost completely unharmed. How great is our God?
Asia was CareFlight-ed to a hospital in Dallas and instead of being unresponsive like one would assume after a serious car accident, she was asking the people on board the helicopter if they knew Jesus. God is no where near finished with Asia. He has so much more for her life and He knew this was not the time to take her out of this world. He spared her life because He is going to use her mightily for the Kingdom. I believe that will all of my heart.
The rest of Sunday was filled with short prayers just thanking Jesus for His miracle. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and with each thought, came an increase in faith. He is already using what the enemy tried to use for evil, for His good and to bring glory to His name.
Then Sunday night after a talk I had with my roommate Tiffany, I heard the Lord prompt me to tell her that I will always be there for her. So I told her. I just said a few brief words letting her know that I love her and I will always be here whenever she needs me.
This morning I woke up to the sound of Tiffany coming through the door crying. I shot up out of bed and asked what was wrong. Tiffany was in so much pain and asked, through tears, if I could take her to the doctor. I don't think i've ever thrown on clothes faster than I did this morning! I knew she needed me and I wanted to do anything I possibly could to help her. After a visit to a doctors office it was apparent that her back pain was more serious that we originally thought so we rushed to the ER. Tiffany was in so much pain. She couldn't find a comfortable position, she was constantly thirsty and was so hot and restless. It brought tears to my eyes a few times to see someone I care about and love so much in so much pain.
The doctors told us that Tiffany was passing a kidney stone and I suddenly understood all of her pain and discomfort since I have dealt with them myself.
After some pain medication, Tiffany started to feel better and I started thanking God again for His healing and grace.
One more story...
After cheering at a basketball game tonight our cheer coach asked us to stay after so she could talk to us about something. After the game we gathered in our room and she told us that her and her husband (my dorm pastor) wouldn't be dorm pastoring next year. Yes, I'm getting married so I won't be on campus in the dorm to experience the changes, but this was still news that sadden me. I was more so crying because I know that in just 3 short months I won't see Pastor Nick, Alicia, Nash and Anna Rogers everyday. Four people that have changed and influenced my life drastically the past year and a half while i've been at Southwestern. God is calling them to a new place of ministry so they are listening to His call and moving on to the next step of life. It is so bittersweet.
Tonight at our All Dorm Devo, Pastor Nick spoke about submitting to wherever God calls you and making sure that you apply all of your gifting and talents so you can be used by God, which was a perfect word for me. Exactly what I need to here.
After the events of this weekend and this week I just feel different. The Lord's character amazes me.
God saved my friends life. He is a God of 2nd chances...and 3rd, 4th and 5th chances. He has His hand in all situations. Where the enemy would want to steal, kill and destroy, Jesus says no. My faith has increased, my joy in life is brighter and understanding how quickly life can be taken creates an urgency in my Spirit. I have so much more I want to do here. There are so many things I want to do for Jesus. I am not finished. I am not done yet!
God allowed me to be His hands and feet today with Tiffany. I was able to serve her and be there when she needed me. God showed me a sweet picture of friendship. I am reminded of the times I would lay awake wondering if I would even have friends at SAGU. I have a friend in Tiffany. She is there for me and I am there for her. God is faithful in all things, even my insecurity about being alone. He gave me Tiffany and I am so grateful for our friendship.
Lastly, God showed me a picture of what Michael and I could possibly face in the future. Pastor Nick and Alicia, a godly couple, faithful leaders in ministry that are now being called to a new place. Uncertain in their future but unwavering in their commitment to doing exactly what the Lord has called them to. What better example for college students? I have thought many times about what the future will look like for Michael and I. In 3 months, Michael will be working at his dad's church doing exactly what he got a degree for and doing what makes him happy. What a blessing! But i'm not naive to the fact that this may not always be the case. God has the authority to call us wherever, whenever and in that Michael and I will be faithful, just like Pastor Nick and Alicia.
''And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.''
-Romans 8:28
