GIFTS OF GRACE

A few weeks ago my son Bill had a horrible car accident on his way to a job. Simply put, he hit a big truck parked on the side of freeway while he was going about 60 m.p.h. The airbag deployed, probably preventing more serious injuries, but Bill was trapped in the vehicle.

After rescuers freed him, an ambulance transported him to Atlanta Medical Center. Although both bones in his left forearm were badly broken, he suffered no further injuries. During surgery the surgeons put two titanium plates in his arm secured with 17 screws.

Earlier this year Bill struck out on his own to form his own business, Bellington Designs (www.BellingtonDesigns.com). He has been working really hard, but operating on a shoestring. Just a couple of weeks prior to the accident he got married, and with his bride, bought a house.

Now not only was his old exhausted car totaled, but through a snafu he had no personal medical coverage for these new bills from the ambulance, hospital, and doctors. Plus, with his damaged arm he would not be able to work for some weeks to have income.

He felt BIG TIME stress settling down with pain while still rolling out of the recovery room! Fortunately, his wife and our family were there to give him whatever support and solace possible.

I sympathized with his trauma yet realized I could not feel his torment and worry. Nevertheless, I believed from the early moments after hearing of the accident that God was going to use it for His good, and even Bill’s good. Of course, all of the outcome is yet to be seen, and we mortals may never understand the results.

Earlier this year Bill had been looking at replacement vehicle possibilities, but the funds were not available. He composed a list of things he wanted that would allow him to do his work in the best style possible. A Ford Ranger or F-150 truck with tool boxes in the bed, an overhead ladder rack, an extended cab, and even a cap for the bed would "fill the bill" for him.

Today I got some good news. Through the generosity and love of others, Bill has been able to replace his old, small, snarky, smashed vehicle with a handsome pickup truck. The truck he got this week has all those things he wanted except the cap to top the truck bed.

He thinks he will be fine without that final touch, and perhaps even be more versatile without it. Using the internet he searched the metro Atlanta area for a truck. Interestingly, he found the truck less than 3 miles from his home.

When I saw the photo of the truck and how it met Bill’s desires, my mind immediately replayed a scene from over 25 years ago. Our family had moved to Brazil, and we were finishing a year of study in the Portuguese language. We were preparing to move to another city in a few months and find a new house.

We asked the children to help us prepare a prayer list of things about the new house they wanted to ask God to provide. We had been living in a home with no yard. The ground outside was tiled so there was neither grass nor trees.

Below is the copy of 7 year old Bill’s prayer list. The requests are dated September 28, 1982. Each check mark signifies the prayer was answered..

You cannot imagine the joy of the boys when they climbed the tree for the first time. Yes, there was only one tree, but a big one, and they only asked for one!

When my sons were little (Bill is 6'6" now), I taught them “you have not because you ask not.” Further, if you want something specific, ask for it. My basis was the words of Jesus when he said, "Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.” (John 16:24)

On Monday Bill starts back to work with a new set of wheels. When Bill told me about his truck, the great joy in his voice was obvious. With abundant grace God still gives great gifts. I think not only do we receive joy, but heaven rejoices as well!