Not an Accident

On Thursday night, things were exciting at KLRC as the fundraising goal deadline loomed and then the goal was met. They were a different kind of exciting for our family. My husband and two kids had been driving through Fayetteville in the thick of traffic near 6:00, when my husband had to hit the brakes hard to avoid a driver who changed lanes suddenly. 

His truck began to fishtail and spun out--they turned circles, hitting the concrete barrier. They came to a stop facing into incoming left lane traffic.

My radio was on KLRC as I got into the car to drove through that same heavy interstate traffic to go get them from the accident scene. The fundraising goal had not quite been met yet, so every single song was about God's provision and care. As I waited in slowdown and did a lot of praying myself, the fundraising prayer that you use was prayed: "...Be Who we know You to be..." The goal was met in those few minutes as I drove to the scene, and as I drove, there was rejoicing on air in God's provision in our times of need.

Seeing a shut down lane with firetrucks and police lights is always a little frightening. Pulling up to a totaled vehicle to get your entire family is gut-wrenching. In life, I know that we aren't guaranteed a miracle, but this was one. Despite many different things that logically could and probably should have been much worse, all three walked away. A few of the gifts: Despite spinning in bumper-to-bumper traffic, they did not hit another car. God had provided a police officer who saw the entire thing happen and was able to flash lights and redirect traffic right away. Another driver stopped with his own son, and they skipped baseball practice to wait with and care for our family.

For KLRC that evening, those songs of provision were about God's care in fundraising. For our family, they were about God's provision of safety and community when we needed it most, and for trust that He will help us navigate fear and uncertainty, a totaled truck, and all of the other spinouts that life can and does throw.

This past Saturday, my husband went to the police impound to get out his things. He has had this truck since he was 16, and it held meaningful memories with his dad, whom he lost five years ago this past week. As he walked up, he wondered--is that music?

The glass was shattered out from the back of the cab, and as he drew closer, he could hear "In Christ Alone." He had KLRC on while they were driving before the wreck happened, and when they got out, the keys stayed in the ignition, apparently in the on position. The radio had been playing constantly the two days since.

"In Christ Alone" is one of his favorite songs, especially in times of turmoil. That song is not on KLRC often, since it is not exactly new anymore, but it was just then, there in an impound lot, coming from the speakers of a beloved, irredeemably totaled truck that had been sitting alone in a lockup for two days amidst shattered glass and war-zone vehicles.

The truck is gone, but the people are safe. There is much here that was no accident.

(PS--we are looking for the kind father and son who stopped on their way, just to express our gratitude. We were in shock at the moment and did not get their names, but would love to tell them how much their presence meant, so we have been looking for them. They can ask the state police for the incident report and contact us if they are willing to. Our little guy would love to give them a special hand-drawn picture.)