So often we; as human beings, can forget just how present God is in our everyday lives. We get caught up in the day-to-day activities and get really comfortable with our routines; even to the point that we start to get our security from our routines. It’s only when these routines get shaken up that we start to see just how much we derive our security from those day-to-day routines. Am I referring to the current Coronavirus pandemic? Maybe, but really I am thinking about an event that happened five and a half years ago. For those that know me, you will realize that I am talking about the death of my oldest child, my son Tad. His accident and death rocked my world and has taken me on a journey that has had such far reaching impact on my and my family’s life that I don’t think I could craft the words; on my own, to describe any aspect of it. However, I woke up this morning with the drive to put into writing things in my life that have impacted me in hopes that; by doing so, at least one other person’s life could be impacted. If one person can be blessed by my story, then it will be worth however long it takes to share it.

My personal journey after my Tad’s passing has been marked with so many scars. By scars, I am referring to experiences in my life that have marked me; both positively and negatively, but have not been the end of my story here on earth. God has made His presence known to me through so many avenues; whether it be friends who prayed endlessly for us, friends that provided so many meals for us, or even now hearing about churches that were praying for us then and God has brought individuals from those churches into our path that have let us know just how we were covered in prayer by so many. His presence has been made known through music, through books and through Tad’s son who at the tender age of four was speaking God’s truth to his grammy in a way that could only be God because this little boys knowledge could not have been established enough to know these things on his own.

Tad’s accident occurred while he was driving his dad’s Harley Davidson motorcycle on July 4th, 2014. The accident was caused because a young man was approaching a traffic light that was green when he looked and then turned red when he looked behind his shoulder to change lanes. Their collision caused the accident and Tad’s death. Because of great signs that God provided for us, we can know that my son was immediately ushered into Heaven where he gets to spend his days and nights surrounded by God. This eases my pain but far from removes it. The ache in my heart over this loss is like nothing I have ever experiences before. Even through the pain, God’s comfort was all around me. I couldn’t deny it. His peace that I felt in the midst of this storm was beyond my understanding. The hand of God was and is my guiding star and His love has carried me through all the waves of grief that I have experienced. Because of this being an accident involving another person that was at fault, we found ourselves dealing with an attorney and the court system. The day that we had to appear before a judge for the sentencing of the at-fault driver was one of the most awe-inspiring days of my life. As my husband, daughter and I sat waiting in the courtroom for our turn to stand before the judge, the other driver asked us; through his attorney, if he could approach us to apologize. We accepted and he approached us with a sincere apology. What was to follow is what blew me away. During our turn in front of the judge, the judge shared with the other driver how fortunate he was because this was the first time in all his years that the family of the victim did not want revenge; that he should offer an apology and hugs or something because he was very lucky. I do not say this for a pat on my back. I say this because this is the power of God in us, not something that we can muster up for ourselves. When all was finished, the other driver with his family and pastor, and my family and I walked out of the courtroom to the courthouse lobby where we spent time talking a little. We exchanged addresses and his pastor led the two families in prayer. I don’t think that I can put into words the majesty of God for you to see what happened in that courthouse lobby. The driver that caused the accident that led to the death of my son, his parents, his pastor, his attorney, my husband, my daughter, and I stood in a circle holding hands while his pastor prayed for the two families involved. WOW!!!!!!! Cannot put into words the emotion that I felt as I left the building and went to my vehicle and sobbed for MY GOD that just showed His Mighty Hand in a government building where He showed His love for His children, no matter what side of the accident they were on.

God is with us! God is for us! God will never leave us! God loves His children and He will work all things for the good of those who are called according to His will! What the enemy meant for evil, God can and will use for His Good!