The Night That Changed Our Lives

If I had a revised version of my book The Night That Changed Our Lives…The Devil Pushed Me I n A Pit But God Pulled Me Out or an added chapter, this is what it would be. 

And….Life Goes On

As time progressed I now reflect on what my accident has meant to many and to come to realize that it wasn’t necessarily my accident, yet it was what took place afterwards. Many have been through similar if not worse than I. I then began to realize that my witness is what God asked me to give for Him.

I mentioned in Snowmageddon 2014 chapter my layoff and subsequent search for work. I have been working doing many remedial jobs since the age of 13. Cutting lawns, newspaper route on my bike, busing tables at several local restaurants, cashier at a convenient store, and literally digging ditches. So, finding work and completing these were never an issue for me-it was who would hire me?

You see, I was doing what most working adults would do and just began the job search hoping to find that job that I wanted. I desperately wanted to get back to where I had left prior to my accident and layoff. This was a job that had paid handsomely. I wanted to be that bread-winner once again. I was at a time in my life where one must ask, “what do you want to do when you grow up?” It took me over 50+ years to determine my place in this world.

I had a company fly me to Orlando, Florida to interview to see if I was the individual they wanted to be their representative for their company covering the state of Alabama. I always prided myself in the knowledge I have of the entire state. I have traveled extensively driving every back road one could ever want to find. Plus, I had also had prior knowledge to many of the medical facilities thus having the connections and relationships established. I just knew I was a shoo-in; a bit of arrogance came over me.

After knocking what I thought was an out of the park interview I receive a call at home from the recruiter who informed me that the company had opted to go in another direction. This was the catch phrase that I had heard numerous times before from other companies letting me know that I would not be their choice to move forward to the next interview stage. At this point I let out a chuckle and it astonished the recruiter. Now, this was very unassuming from me. It was a very quick feeling of God’s love that came over me. Coming out of this near fatal fall I have lots more respect of mankind and more love and less hate attitude. I am now experiencing another revelation of God engulfing my soul with peace.

I now had to explain what my chuckle meant. It was simply not directed at the company that did not want me, not chuckling at the female recruiter that I am on the phone with nor the idea that I would not be offered the next step in this process. God flooded me with wonderful thoughts telling me that He has my back and that I too did not pray the right prayer. I was wanting what I wanted not where He needed me to be.

After searching for that place where God needed me to be I have now found it. I am in Guest Services for THE hospital that was responsible for putting me back together again after my near fatal accident January 28, 2014. In fact, I have worked a couple of the surgical waiting floors and been in the pre-operative and post-operative care units as well the Neurological Intensive Care Unit where I too spent time. I was told by some of the staff that I now have come full circle.

I am tasked with providing a warm and welcoming environment by being approachable and being as attentive to the care partner’s needs as possible. I am to add value daily by offering lots of empathy and sympathy and a consistent approach to customer service that is delivered to EVERY customer while they are inside our hospital.

There is fear in many faces as I witness their demeanor. I know that I have chosen faith over fear and I will meditate on what is positive and what is good. I will use my energy not to worry but to believe. Fear has no part in my life and this is what I hope to instill in every visitor to my waiting area. I show them that they cannot dwell in the negative, discouraging thoughts.  Isaiah 41:10 So Do Not Fear, For I Am With You; Do Not Be Dismayed, For I Am Your God. I Will Strengthen You And Help You; I Will Uphold You With My Righteous Right Hand.

My rehab and vocational teams conducted research on me with testing and discussing my abilities and their evaluation discovered that this was one that fit me to a tee and also one that they had numerous connections with. After working a medical device sales job for close to 13 years prior to being laid off and having been in outside sales for many more I had the luxury of the autonomy–came and went as I pleased, as long as I completed the job I was paid to do and I could also take a 2 hour lunch break if I so wanted. Not any more. And, this is fine with me as I have been humbled real fast. Coming out a job where I had a company vehicle, 6 figure income, all the benefits one could possibly want to have. I am now limited to a 45 minute lunch break, punch in/out of a time clock, working weekends and holidays and lots of overtime hours.

It has taken me this long in my life to find that place, that place of purpose, a job where I am needed and wanted and can serve an almighty purpose. I get up in the mornings with a giant, somewhat intolerable smile on my face, with a purpose on my mind and am forever grateful that I have that place to go to. I pray that I can be a blessing to someone and in return I am blessed. I have had the pleasure of comforting care partners as they see their loved ones off to surgery or await their return. I have been fortunate enough to pray with some and share the love that our Lord has provided for us even in our times of discomfort-unknown.

For me it is a labor of love. I get out of bed anxious to get to a job that I love and want desperately to get to. Definitely thankful that I can put my feet on the ground and walk and also humbled in knowing that I am going home at night with all my digits and limbs. After seeing some of the individuals that I see daily I am forever grateful for what I do have.

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. They are plans for good, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me, you will find me.

Where you are in life is temporary, where you end up in life is permanent and how you get from here to there is entirely up to you.
A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and you don’t want what others do have, just realize how blessed you are for what you have. Are you happy and blessed? You can be if you ask for that salvation–that life eternal.

I declare that God has a great plan for my life. He is directing my steps and even though I may not always understand how, I know my situation is not a surprise to God. He will work out every detail to my advantage. In His perfect timing, everything will turn out right.

So, I now had to sacrifice so much, and know that God would provide for me and my family.

I have had the privilege and honor to have been invited to speak or share my testimony with hundreds of engagements for .com sites, magazines, radio and TV shows, churches, and civic organizations. One of those was 100 Huntley, a Canadian Christian Broadcasting network that has been around for over 80 years in Toronto, Canada. This was on the same platform that many of the world’s religious leaders had donned; Charles Stanley, Billy and Franklin Graham.

I got a call from a book store that was selling copies of my book. They inform me that although the cover mentions “God” they convince an agnostic or atheist couple to give my book a try. And read it they did and the bookstore owner said the couple were super inspired and convinced that God played a pivotal role in the direction of my life.

If selling just that one copy of this book meant that much to an individual, a couple or a group, I am more the happier and praise to the Good Lord for this opportunity.

It has been these types of moments and relationships that have kept me going. And yes, I still get that same question with a puzzled look on one’s face when they look at me and ask “you’re that guy aren’t you”?

Where you are in life is temporary, where you end up in life is permanent and how you get from here to there is entirely up to you.

A good life is when you smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, and you don’t want what others do have, just realize how blessed you are for what you do have. Are you happy and blessed? You can be if you ask for that salvation-that life Eternal.

I declare that God has a great plan for my life. He is directing my steps and even though I may not understand how, I know my situation is not surprising to God. He will work out every detail to my advantage. In His perfect timing, everything will turn out right.