Tuesday, October 12, 2010

My Life's Sliding Out of Control


story by Lisa Petrarca

During a recent rain storm, I was on the freeway and switched lanes as my exit approached. My tail end started to hydroplane. I tried to correct it four times, finally my car slid completely sideways, hitting the side of the embankment at 55 mph. My first thought was, "Oh no, I'm going to roll over. This is how it happens, one day you're driving to work and the next minute you're gone."

That morning, before I left for work, I prayed for a hedge of protection around each of my family members, but I forgot to pray for myself.

Now I was headed for certain disaster.

Did that mean that I wasn't protected? Was I still covered by the Lord's grace?

Who is really in charge of my life?

I usually thought that
I was & carried my burdens in just such a way:

How can
I fix this situation?
What can
I do to change things?
I
can't fix this so I'm going to just give up?
I
don't know what to do, my problems are too big!

But what that one day taught me, in a very terrifying, yet vivid way, I am not expected to handle things alone. I can't control a sliding car, an illness, a terminal diagnosis, infertility, a wayward child, an out of control spouse, an addiction, whatever it is that's going on that I have been trying to control is beyond my capability.

God never intended for us to head out each day alone. He has given us words of encouragement, prayer for protection, a Savior, Jesus Christ for the atonement of our sins, and the Holy Spirit for wisdom & discernment.

As I hit the hill, my car didn't rollover. I slid up it, spun around & ended up coming safely to a stop half way up the hill. A woman ran down the hill, in the pouring rain, hugged me & told me "God was protecting you today!" Before I headed onto the freeway she told me again, "God is looking out for you," and blew me a kiss.

Remember today, YOU ARE NOT ALONE, GOD IS WITH YOU. Pray & ask for His wisdom & guidance to face whatever is sliding out of control in your life.

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
ROMANS 8:31-32


I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples."
JOHN 15:1-8

6 comments:

  1. Blessings Lisa...and PRAISE GOD you are alright and HE WAS THERE PROTECTING YOU!!! I remember doing like you wrote, pray for everyone else for their day and protection but forgot myself! That day was over 20 yrs. ago and it did not turn out as well as yours (i was raped but at least I'm alive to remember it and my 2 adopted children were protected that day anyway)! The reason that
    I share that even after 20 yrs. is because I usually do not forget anymore to PRAY, put on my full armor and ask for God's Protection because thankfully HE IS THERE!

    I enJoyed other posts as well...good lessons and stories with wonderful WORD! Thank you and thank God that you are not out of His control!

    Peace,
    Peggy
    (I saw you at Amanda's Secret Garden, and thought I'd come meet you! Glad to meet you!
    Keep going! You're doing fine.)

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  2. Lisa, I can imagine how scary that would have been! My heart would have jumped right out of my chest, I'm sure!

    I have times in a car, where a serious accident should have occurred but I know those angels intervened. I really believe that with my whole heart. Even if we forget or neglect to pray for protection, He is faithful. It is His nature to protect His own. Praise the Lord for that ;-)

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving such a powerful comment concerning your testimony. I was so blessed by it...

    Bless you!

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  3. I am so glad that you are safe! God was protecting you! I think its wonderful that you pray for you family and the fact that you are so loving and giving that the safety of your family comes before your own safety. You are a amazing person and this story gave me a smile that will last the rest of the day.

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  4. Praise God for his protection!! And thank you for this awesome reminder that we are not ALONE. I really needed this today!! :)

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  5. Hei lisa..thanx for wonderful comment on my blog

    I like your blog alot!!:))

    Stay safe and have a beautiful day!!!

    Hugs and kisses from anita

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  6. hei hei lisa!!Have a beautiful day!!:))))

    Kisses and hugs!!:))

    ReplyDelete