Reflections

As I reflect on this year

~ I am most thankful ~

not just for what did happen 

in the story of my life and those I love

but especially for what did not.

(and in the lives of strangers who became a part of the story)

On the morning of Christmas Eve

as I was bustling on last minute finishing touches

for our Christmas

my husband was driving, not far from home,

when a car at the cross street pulled out in front of him.

He swerved to miss ramming the drivers side

but then saw a truck straight in front of him

coming in his direction.

He drove his small car onto the shoulder of the road

~ and was in control of the car ~

until it hit mud

and crashed into a very sturdy telephone pole.

The air bags exploded.

~  T h e   c a r   w a s   t o t a l e d  ~

And yet no one was hurt.

Not even a scratch.

(the other guys insurance is paying for everything)

What a different story our lives would have

for Christmas and this coming year

had the car wreck turned out differently.

I can hardly give it much thought,

the 'what if's' are too unfathomable for my mind

and my heart.

Had he not swerved, the other man's family

would be living a different story also.

I think of those I know of

who had tragic moments happen this year,

and my heart goes out to them.

I pray grace and mercy on their dear hearts.

And strength to go on,

to let their stories continue

~ with faith in Jesus Christ at the core ~

____________

Right now I hear my husband bringing in all the

Christmas bins...

{You know what I will be doing this weekend}

{as he searches for another car}

Blessings on you dear readers, as this year ends

and a new one begins ~ and your story unfolds before you

I am reading two books right now.

One is by Donald Miller, (who wrote "Blue Like Jazz")

titled, "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years,

How I Learned to Live a Better Story"

The other one was a Christmas gift, titled

"Love Does", by Bob Goff.

These have really nudged me to think about

the story of my life,

and what I can do to make it a better one.

(What are you reading? I'd love to hear)

~ Violet ~