I needed to see this right now. God is amazing!

Isaiah 45:24,“They will say, ‘Goodness and strength come only from the Lord.’”

I am definitely claiming this verse for today. 
The day started off beautifully.  As noted in my church bulletin today, it was going to be a “Picture Perfect Day”. We had a guest speaker by the name of Ken Jenkins.  He is “a world-renowned writer, publisher, and wildlife photographer”. His testimony through his photographs was fabulous.  Our Sunday school class was filled with great personal testimonies as we discussed the woman at the well. Then, after church it was time for home which means lunch is not far behind.  I had sent Hunter, along with Cole, to pick up Cole’s friend to play with this afternoon. I took food orders, and Holly and I headed to retrieve lunch for the family.  That’s when the “Picture Perfect Day” came to a halt.
Holly and I had been reading and discussing a bible verse on a little flipbook thingy I have in my car.  She read it while I drove.  It was Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” After she read it we were talking about what it meant. I glanced down to see it, when all of a sudden I felt like I was on a rollercoaster ride that came to an impulsive stop.  Our heads jolted forward as I came to the realization that I had just hit the back of a car. 
Are you kidding me?!  I grabbed my wallet and met the gentleman (I’m using that term loosely right now) outside.  When I made eye contact with him, I told him how sorry I was.  His first words were, “Thanks! You’ve ruined our vacation!”  I believe my eyes widened, I took a gulp, and thought “Lord, help me.”
We assessed the damage and called 9-1-1.  While we were waiting on the police to arrive, I walked over to the passenger side of the car that I hit and asked the wife if she was ok.  She was a bit distraught and said that she has heart troubles, she’s fine, but her heart was beating fast.  No joke! Mine was too.  My hand was shaking like someone in detox. I asked her if I could pray with her, and she agreed.  I bent down to put my hand on her and she grabbed mine and held it with gentle squeezes as I prayed aloud.  Her husband was close by, and I could hear a huff when the prayer was finished. Was it a huff as if to say “Amen” or a huff in disgust? Not sure, and right now, I frankly don’t care.
The police officers arrived, asked if anyone was hurt and if we could move our vehicles to the vacant lot beside us.  Praise the Lord that no one was hurt.  The officer must has sensed the man’s frustration and said, “Sir, it was an accident. Everyone is okay.”
The “gentleman” I hit was acting like an investigator.  He wanted to know all about everything that he was soon going to have in his hand when the officer gave him the complete report.  He was very persistent in his questioning.  I could have easily lost my composure, but God has His hand on me the entire time.  The Lord helped me to remain calm, smile, be compassionate, and apologetic.
In the middle of this process, Hunter arrived to take Holly home so they could eat lunch.  (A lunch that he had to go get instead of me.)  Hunter walked over, smiled his cute smile, shook his head with his big cowboy hat on, and said, “Really, mom?” Yep! Really.
After about an hour of settling this incident, it was all over.  The police officer gave the man his copy of the report and excused him from the scene. I told the guy again, “I am so sorry and I hope you do get to go and enjoy a peaceful vacation.”  The officer smiled at me and whispered, “Ma’am, you don’t have to be so nice.”  I said, “Yea. Yes I do.”
On the way home my sweet, dear, longtime friend, Danna, called me and asked if everything was okay.  She has noticed that I was with an officer and another car, but everything looked fine.  She thought that Tim was with me.  All she had seen in a glance was the “gentleman” with his white hair and thought it was Tim and his blonde hair.
I started telling her what happened. Then as I was telling her that Tim was at a golf tourney and two sets of grandparents are out of state right now, so it was just me there. Even though the kids had been there, and poor Holly was involved (Praise God she is fine!) I hadn’t felt so alone, as I was sitting in my car waiting on the officer to finish writing the report, in a while. In conversing with Danna, it all hit me.  My emotions took over.  I was sitting in my driveway talking to her on the phone and crying.  She said that she was coming over.
Ahhh, a friend when I was in need in a friend in deed. I love you, Danna. Thank you!
When I finally sat down to read my “Walking in the Word” and journal about the scriptures, God showed me Isaiah 45:24.  Then, when I went back to read what verse Holly and I were discussing, God revealed the commonality.  My help comes from the Lord!
God gave me the strength to be calm and compassionate. It definitely was not on my own power, but the Lord’s. “Your help will not come from your own strength and power. No, your help will come from my Spirit.’ This is what the Lord All-Powerful says.”
Last month I was hit from behind and had a pleasant and godly conversation with the man.  Then this happened. I’m beginning to see a pattern that I absolutely do not want to continue.  “Lord, please don’t put me in an accidental situation again to show your love.  I’d prefer to tell others about you in a much calmer and cheaper way.”
Just know that whatever situation you are put in; always know that your strength and words come from God.  Don’t be ashamed of Him.
Blessings to you all. 
October 7, “Walking in the Word”