Feeling Thankful Today

I haven’t written much about this because at first I didn’t think it was my story. It happened while I was in Italy, so I wasn’t really that involved.

But the more I think about it, and the more I talk to people about it, the more I see that it IS part of my story, so I’m going to write about it.

And also, Hurricane Isaac is making me think about storms.

On July 1, our town was hit suddenly by a severe thunderstorm. Those happen here—we’re used to them—but this storm was unusual from what I understand. The suddenness and the severity were intense, catching everyone by surprise. They called it a “land hurricane,” whatever that is.

I won’t go into the details because the details aren’t part of my story (I was halfway around the world, remember?), but you have to know that the storm hit just after noon on a Sunday. My husband and daughter, who drove separate cars, were just coming home from church.

What happened next IS part of my story.

This is my husband’s car.

 The car where he was trapped for 20 minutes until my daughter (who, thankfully, was in the basement of our house) found him.

When I got word in Italy about what happened (via Facebook, I might add!) I kind of shrugged and told someone, “Gee, there was a really bad storm at home. My husband was trapped in his car for 20 minutes under a tree.”

The Italian guy looked at me and said, “You are so calm. How can you be so calm about this? Do you have storms often?”

I explained that the Midwest is known for having thunderstorms and tornadoes. It’s just something we live with.

I hadn’t seen the pictures yet.

 The next day when B posted pictures on Facebook, I realized, fully, what had happened.

My husband, my rock, my friend, the love of my life, could have been killed.

Really.

I have laughed about it since then, now that I can laugh about it, now that he’s here and he’s fine. But when I really sit in silence and think about what could have happened, how I could right now be trying to pick up the pieces of my life after a tragic accident, I realize that I have much to be thankful for.

And that’s why I’m writing today.

I’m thankful that my husband wasn’t hurt worse. Aside from some scrapes and bruises and a few shards of glass in his arm, he was not hurt.

Thank you, Lord.

I’m thankful that my daughter, who was driving a tiny car that day, was not the one to be trapped under the tree because the outcome for her could have been much different.

Thank you, Lord.

I’m thankful, selfishly, that B wasn’t driving my car that day because his car was a company car, and his company handled all the details of towing the car away, paying for a rental, and getting him a new car. Such an amazing blessing that I do NOT take for granted.

Thank you, Lord.

Mostly today, I am thankful for the husband that God has given me and that He has given us even a few more days together. I don’t know what will happen in the future, I certainly know that accidents happen, but I know we have today and for that I am thankful.

Now tell me, what are YOU thankful for today?