Wednesday, February 4, 2009

had a bad day. having... a bad day.

I woke up SUPER early this morning and was knocking out my chores left and right. I feel so effective and productive when I wake up early. Journal and Bible time, laundry, dry cleaning, 3-mile run, bills paid, and I dried and folded my clothes (sorry, Stacey, no sushi for you.). After my run I'm driving down I-10 to Target for dog food. It was morning traffic and we the people are just nuts driving early near downtown.

And then it all happened so fast. I was about to exit, traffic was stop and go, started moving about 10 mph when I looked in my rearview mirror to see a Grand Cherokee approaching me faster than he should - he was looking to his left and didn't see me - when BAM! he hit me. If I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, I'd have knocked my head on the steering wheel. Kenai hit the passenger seat from behind and yelped.

Well, we exited and Mr. Crashman was really nervous. We took care of all the business neccessary... most importantly we both were fine. Thing is, I'm really frustrated by this. I've been working towards selling my car because I feel God calling me to eliminate the debt I still owe on it. Now this happens and I'm like "What's up, God?"

I know it's all gonna work out and I know it's gonna be ok. But it still stinks. Today I talked about it on my show and left it open-ended asking "What do you do when you feel God leading one way and then bammo! an obstacle!" So many of you called and it was awesome. I started to feel lots better and so encouraged.

Then I received this email in the studio from Bridgit:

"You initially saying God was telling you to simplify is what caught my attention. I dont' want to dismiss you questioning about the car? But I would assume you have insurance that will take care of the damage. Honestly, I couldn't help but be just a bit irittated at you questioning why to damage done on a car, when my family is questioning why to the death of my son's 15 year old best friend that was killed in a car accident? Perhaps you should be thanking God that you weren't injured and that you have a car. I don't mean to should harsh....but you shouldn't be questioning why as much as giving thanks for no serious injuries or deaths! I think across the nation we are to begin to simplify. And I am saying this as much to myself as to you..perhaps it will be more than simplif ing our lives from material things and time restraints...could that be the answer to your why? I don't know just throwing it out there. Please be praying for this boys family and our community as we walk through this time. Through Trent's death, I pray Jesus will be lifted high!!"

What would you say?

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I feel so strange offering advice, knowing that I am a complete stranger-but I'm going to :)

First, I would get down on my knees and pray for Bridget, as she is obviously in pain and struggling to understand a difficult loss. I would respond with compassion and understanding and see it as a God ordained opportunity to minister to a sister in need.

Perhaps she added a bit of perspective, but I don't think you should feel guilty for asking God, "What the heck?" The amazing, wonderful thing about God is that he is able to have a personal, completely different relationship with each one of us and meet us wherever we are and work with us and through us. Your incident is part of God's plan and he is definitely in control!

James ~n~ Amber said...

Oh my gosh Liz, I'm sorry to hear this. Praise God that you were all ok. In THAT you can be truly thankful. It will definitely all be ok...but you already know that :)

Hannah said...

Hey there Liz,

I listen to your show on the radio every day because 1. My radio always stays on KSBJ and 2. Because I'm on my way to work during your show.

My husband and I were talking about KSBJ recently and we were both saying how awesome we think you are because you are so caring, you have such a big heart, you are so encouraging, and we just love how you radiate happiness and love even over the radio.

I just started reading your blog and got the same impression. I just wanted to write and say thank you. Thank you for all you do and thank you for being an awesome example of Jesus Christ in our community. This world needs more people like you.

Hannah B.

P.S. All of your photos are amazing! (love the 365 project and my hubby and I are talking about doing one!)What kind of camera do you use? An SLR camera is on my prolonged wish list but I don't know what to get.

holly hoskison said...

Ouch, that’s a toughie. At first, I was like dang – harsh! Then I read it again, giving her the benefit of a doubt that it was meant in love, and through the eyes of one who has recently experience tragedy…and could begin to understand. I think I would just try to respond kindly: “Thank you for the wisdom, and I’m so sorry to hear about your loss.” I know that’s easier to say from the outside looking in though. Hate to hear about your car; that is no fun. Wishing it a speedy recovery – love you!

Lynn Valdez said...

Wow. Liz, sometimes it is hard to read emails like that. She has great points, and I immediately prayed for everyone involved with such a young death. However, it is ok to question what's going on in your life, to wonder about the "little things" and talk things over with friends or christians on the air. This is YOUR life. I think the email, although very sincere and written with care, is completely innapropriate. We have to continue to move forward, as long as we don't forget those serious tragedies and still pray for those hurting daily. BUT MY POINT, LIZ...It is ok to ponder day to day things like a minor car accident. It is ok to ask for input on something that may seem insignifigant to someone else. You may have helped someone with your story, although insignificant to some other people. My response to the email would be something like, Thank you for you input and my prayers are with that situation.
Lynn Valdez

Gerson Barrera said...

Hello Liz,

first of all I'm glad you are ok. Second, we, has humans are always questioning the "why" of everything. I find myself asking God and myself why I went through that situation. Most of the time I dont find an exact answer and I always turn to my favorite verse from the Bible. I call it my "cheat answer" because its simple and in it I find that God has control of everything. My heart humbles itself when I say it to myself. We might never answer "why" but God does know why. And maybe we are not suppost to know why, but know that God is in control.

Romans 11:33-36 (King James Version)
33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35. Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

James ~n~ Amber said...

James said last night that maybe this lady needed to vent out of frustration. It's hard to understand when something like this happens, and even harder to keep praising God through a time like this. James says maybe God used your situation to open the door for this lady to let off some steam. You're amazingly beautiful !

Joanna said...

Hi. I've never met you, but I think I happened across your blog when I saw a comment from you on someone elses (though I can't remember who!). I've been an off and on KSBJ listener for years and years, and I thought it was cool that I happened to find your blog of all peoples because you were one of the djs I most enjoyed. I never got to listen to your show much because of the time, but I always remember a feeling of peace that would come over me when I did. Even just hearing your voice would make me calm. It has a very soothing quality, and mixed with your heart it was (is) very comforting.

In response to your post and the email from Bridgit...

I think it is OK for you to question the incident. You clearly felt like God was leading you in one direction, and here is something that could be leading you in a different one (we don't know that yet...there's no telling where this situation is going to put you). But it is something that is very real and relevant in your life right now. The tragic death of her son's friend is awful, and it is what is most real and tangible in her life. We could spend our entire day comparing our situations to someone else's, and there's no question that in some way we'll find ourselves better off than some and worse off than others. My job frustrates the heck out of me sometimes, but I can't feel bad that I have a job when so many others don't. My weight bothers me (I was training for the half marathon - no full ones yet for me! and ran out of time to train between work and school and ended up putting all the pounds back on!), but just because there are starving people doesn't mean that I need to ignore my discomfort. My mother is a breast cancer survivor, but my friend's father died of an easily curable cancer. I can't feel guilty that my mother survived. The flip sides of all those situations are where the joy and tnakfulness comes in. I'm thankful for all of the blessings that I have, for food on the table, a job to pay the bills and a healthy mother. I don't take those things for granted, and I try to rejoice in God's graciousness.

I've thought about something similar to this (not that similar I guess) as far as the things I enjoy in my life go. I love to eat out and spend time with friends. We eat at nice restaurants, see good movies, go on great backpacking and camping trips, etc etc. Sometimes I question whether or not those things are OK to do. Often those questions come after I've read a news story on kidnappings in Pakistan, villages without water in Africa, drug murders in Mexico, etc. But, I am here. I live in Houston. I have the friends I have. We are people and we have likes. We laugh and have happiness. We enjoy others company. And God know that and is OK with it. He made us that way! The main thing I have to do is be sure I'm doing what HE wants me to do. And that includes being wise with my money and my time. I guess that unless he calls me to be the next Mother Teresa, I just need to keep up with the balance. And the surrender to Him every day.

Sorry...I'm not so great at being able to communicate what I'm trying to say in a tiny bit of time in the middle of work!

Anonymous said...

I'm going to be honest and say that I've made comments like that to other people in the past. After Abby was born, I had such a hard time hearing other moms complain about the mess their kids made or how active they were. Once I actually told a woman that she should be happy that her child is capable of such things. I wish I hadn't said that but I did.

Our situation was still so new and so shocking that I didn't always deal with it in the best way. There a times that I still don't but those occasions occur with far less frequency now.

I think life can be really tough on all of us and it is so important to forgive each other. And, it is important to remember the source of all this bad stuff. If we can remember who our enemy is, it makes it so much easier to show grace to each other.

I'm so glad that you are ok, Liz! I'll be praying for you and for the family who lost their son.

<3

Anonymous said...

Your words express my exact situation! I was in a car accident in May, and couldn't help but ask 'why?' When I was at a low point, I asked my mom 'why?' My mom -- who graciously flew 2,000 miles overnight, saw me through my hospital stay, took care of me at home, even bought me new furniture while she was down there, and prayed with me each day -- answered, "We don't ask Jesus 'why?' " It was a beautiful answer to me, and showed me my mom's faithfulness. I look back on that time, and thank God for the blessing of my mom, who was Christ for me in my moment of weakness.

Tiffany Star said...

In regards to the email sent to Liz: It's unfair to compete for who has dealt with the worst trauma etc and who deserves God's attention the most, and when God should be inserted into the equation...It's subjective. Liz, God knows ;-), hehe!