On July 6, 2016, I was in a car accident that could have killed or crippled me.
Honestly, it was completely stupid accident. I was driving down a straight country road in the middle of a summer evening. No ice. No animals. No other cars. No pedestrians. And yet I flipped an SUV twice.
I could have been killed. I could have lost an arm. I could have broken my neck. Or I could have broken my back, just like my dad did when he was my age. I could have been hit by the debris flying through the air as the explorer was rolling. I could be dead, but I’m not.
I walked away (literally) from that wreck with a scrape on my arm, a small rub-burn on my thigh, a small rub-burn on the top of my foot, and a very minor concussion. And none of my tiny injuries are even going to scar. The poor SUV is totaled, but me, I’m doing just fine.
Some people have said that I was lucky, that thank goodness I was wearing my seatbelt.
But no, I was not lucky, and my seatbelt did not save me.
God did that.
God made sure the explorer landed between two telephone poles instead of wrapped around one.
God kept me from hitting a tree when I over-corrected the first time.
God kept my neck from snapping.
God kept my seatbelt from breaking my collarbone or a couple ribs.
God kept my seatbelt from sawing through my carotid or jugular.
God kept the debris and broken glass from pelting me.
God made sure the explorer landed upright after its second roll.
God helped me unbuckle my seatbelt once the explorer stopped moving.
God helped me climb out of the window when the door wouldn’t open.
God helped me spot my phone lying fifteen feet away on the blacktop amidst the other debris that was strewn across the road.
God made sure my phone was functional with only a couple scratches after its tumble.
God steadied my shaking hands enough so that I could call my dad.
God brought a woman and her daughter from our church down that road to help me.
I am okay, unnaturally okay, and it is because of God. The only reason that I am still alive is because God decided to save me. People have said that God was good to me. “Oh my goodness, Rosalie, God was so good to you,” “Wow, Rosalie, God was good to you,” “God was so good to you, Rosalie.” And He was. And if I’d died, He would still be so good. And if I’d been paralyzed or lost a limb, He would still be so good.
Make no mistake, I am extremely thankful that He protected me as much as He did, but I think we get into a habit of saying He’s good when He does things that we think are good. God is good. Period.
I’ve done a lot of thinking and praying since my accident, since I could have, by all rights should have, died, and this is what I know for sure: I am alive because God still has work for me to complete. I have yet to accomplish the purpose He gave me. I am so unnaturally okay so that there can be no doubt that God was there and that He is sovereign.
To God alone be the glory that I am alive and so, so well.
Now, because you’ve always wanted life advice from some random girl on the internet, here are my thoughts for life after this:
~ Rest assured that you will not die before your time. You will live until you have accomplished God’s purpose for you.
~ Live every moment with intentionality.
~ Say what you’ve been too afraid to say; be bold. Tell those you love what they mean to you.
~ Enjoy life. Drink it in and praise God.
~ Know God now.
~ Invest heavily in your relationships—with your family, with your friends, with God. Someone once told me that there are two things that last for eternity: God and people.
~ Always remember that all glory belongs to God.
~ God is always good—when things are well and when the world is falling apart.
~ Give better hugs.
~ God has put breath in you for a reason; don’t squander your time away.
~ Chase God with your whole heart—life’s too short and He’s too incredible for half-measures.
~ Fear God and God alone.
~ Give more gifts.
~ Treasure your family.
~ For goodness sake, forgive. Don’t hold onto how people have wronged you. If you’ve been saved by grace, you’ve been forgiven and commanded to forgive. Don’t waste life being bitter and angry.
~ When all else fails, praise God.
~ Every heartbeat is a gift.
So I could have died, but I didn’t. The thought staggers me every time. I think I see God more now, and for that I’m thankful. He’s reminded me how to live, and I don’t want to ever forget.
Penprints 
This is such an amazing post, Rosalie. God is changing up things in my life, too, but not because of something as dramatic as a car accident. Still, He’s doing things. He’s speaking to His children. He’s up to something. Ha! I’m so thankful your time wasn’t up so you could write all this to bring attention to WHO God is. Wish you could make Realm Makers this year! ((Hugs))
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Thank you so much for reading, Pam! I would love to hear how God’s changing things for you! Message me! *hugs*
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Wow, what an amazing testimony of what God has done and is doing in your life! I am going through a time of reflection and transition and getting my priorities straight. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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Thanks for reading it, Jennette!! I’ll be praying for you as you go walk through changes! <3
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Thank you! I appreciate it!
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Wow, Rosalie, I’m so thankful that you’re okay. Sounds like such a scary experience. o.o Thank God for protecting you! He is good!
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Haha, me too! ;) Thanks so much for reading, Emily!
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I was in a very similar accident years ago (only we had ice to blame). It’s quite an abrupt awakening/reminder. Glad you got through it okay and have the best benefit from it you can – a renewed zeal and faith! :)
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So true! It has been such a valuable experience. :)
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Wow, that’s incredible!! Praise God – what mercy! And what great words to take away from that experience and share with us. Thank you. ^_^
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Indeed! Praise God! Thank you for reading, Bethany! :)
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Reblogged this on Life, love, writing and commented:
God is Good. All the time.
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I am in tears. So so grateful He did keep you and preserved you, and so in agreement that God is literally good ALL the time, no matter the circumstances. Praising the Lord, and reevaluating some things. Big hug! Thank You, Lord!!
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Aww, Camilla, thank you so much for your sweet words! <3 *big hug back*
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Well said, Rosie. Thank you for putting your thoughts into words.
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Thank you for reading! :)
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Love your thoughts on this! And I’m so glad you are ok. It’s so true that God is good in the good results and in the bad. I remember feeling that way many years ago when Amy came through her heart surgery just fine. Some people said that God was good, and I felt the same as you. She might not have done so well, but my God would still have been good. We have to cling to that truth through the ups AND downs of this life. Thanks for sharing this with us, Rosie!
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Oh, thank you so much for reading, Mrs. Swanson!! It’s good to hear about your own experience! <3
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So good, Rosie!
Don’t ever, ever scare us like this again! Now, go and finish those shows Jess and I told you about. ;) And then report back to us, so we can relive them with you. :)
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Thanks, Britt!! Haha, I’ll try. :)
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Praise the Lord Rosalie so thankful you are alright. When things like this happens it truly reminds us who is in charge. What better place but to be in the Lord’s hands. Thank you for this wonderful testimony. Makes you think if you are as close to the Lord as we should be. I need to draw nearer to him every day.
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Oh, thank you so much for reading, Paula! :)
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Oh my goodness, Rosalie. Wow. This post really touched me…and I have goosebumps. <3
I was talking to my mom a while ago, and I brought something up — why do we say "Praise the Lord!" and "God is good!" only when things go our way? When things work out? When we're safe and happy and fine? Because even if we don't wind up "okay," God is still good. (Though I'm extremely thankful and relieved that you're alive, haha.)
Thanks for sharing, sweet girl!
-Amanda @ Scattered Journal Pages
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Oh, thank you so much for reading! I’m glad God used it in your life! <3 And thanks for the shoutout on your blog! :)
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WOW. Such an amazing, yet terrifying wake up call. God is so good, and His plans are perfect! I love what you said about how God is good all the time. Whether you had died, or been horridly injured, God is still good. That’s such an important thing to remember. <3
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Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, Hannah! <3
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That’s a beautiful story. It truly is amazing what God can do for people both Christians and non-Christians.
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