For the last week, I have been attempting to write about that has been going on in our lives. I’ve sat and stared at the blank screen and blinking cursor…pondering how to write down all that has happened. You know what? I’m not there yet. I still can’t think about Sugar Belle’s accident without the whole episode running through my head like a really bad nightmare. As I was praying this morning I realized the problem. I was not thinking on things that are “worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).
So, before I forget them all, I want to share all the ways that the Lord has blessed us over the last seven days.
First, I suppose I need to give the low down for those who haven’t a clue what I am referring to. Last weekend, Mr. OverKill and I went out of town for the weekend for a marriage retreat with our church. The kiddos went to stay with my mom and dad. On Saturday, while riding the 4 wheelers, Sugar Belle lost her grip and fell of, and the 4 wheeler ran over her, breaking her leg.
Now I will count our blessings:
1. Mom was immediately by Sugar Belle’s side and was able to stabilize her leg, reducing further injury.
2. Mr OK and I were with friends, who had a connection to the paramedics that allowed us to hear a play-by-play of what was going on at the accident site.
3. Due to the rural location, of my parent’s home, the paramedics decided to airlift Shug, reducing the time between the accident and treatment.
4. Mr. OK and I were pushing for All Children’s Hospital, but she was flown to Tampa General. We later learned that TGH is a leader in the field of orthopedics and trauma. We couldn’t have asked for better care!
5. The friends that were with us were able to drive us to the hospital, as we were both too shaken to drive.
6. Because of our connection to the paramedics, and our location we were able to arrive at the hospital right when the helicopter was landing.
7. After a full body scan and numerous x-rays we learned that Shug’s only injury was a broken leg. How much worse it could have been! The family one room over lost a son that night to a motorcycle accident.
8. Our orthopedic surgeon bore an uncanny resemblance to one of our oldest friends, Dr. Harvard, not only in appearance, but also in mannerisms. What an odd blessing to feel like we were consulting with a good friend, not a stranger.
9. Our friends and family prayed for Sugar Belle and for us immediately and throughout the night.
10. Sugar Belle was able to receive the most progressive treatment for her injury. Her femur has been stabilized with 2 flexible titanium rods. No cast, no splint. She is allowed to walk on it as soon as she is comfortable with it! The rods will be removed in 6-9 months.
11. The lead surgeon on her case said if his child was going to have a break in their leg, he would want the one Shug has, clean, the best healing, and not on a growth plate.
12. Sugar Belle will need physical therapy 2-3 times a week, but at $150 a pop and no insurance…wow! I posted on Facebook about looking for a PT to work for cinnamon rolls. We have been blessed to find someone who is willing to help us out!!!
13. The love and kindness of our church family has TOTALLY blown me away. Cards, gifts for Sugar Belle, prayers, visits, phone calls, food, flowers…the list goes on and on. I’m not sure I have ever felt so loved by a church body before….
14. Trust….In the last few week, I had asked the Lord the help me trust Him more. Once again, I had to peal those sticky tar balls off me and throw them at the Lord. “Casting all my cares on him, for he cares for me!” My paraphrase. I have had such tremendous peace, about her, her health, the financial load we are about to be hit with. Not that is has been easy, I have cried, sobbed, and prayed more in the last 7 days than I care to think about. But the Lord has sustained us, and I am more grateful to Him than I could ever express.
15. Peace…knowing that no matter where or when, Sugar Belle breaking her leg was part of God’s plan for her life and ours. Knowing somehow He is working good…
16. Growth…the growth I have seen in Sugar Belle has been enormous. She is working through her pain, but more than that, the Lord is teaching her through this experience. I am blessed to be able to have a front row seat to watch my daughter discover things about herself and about our loving, gracious God. Not only Sugar Belle, but my other kiddos as well. They all saw the accident, and now they are walking through their own recovery. But they are loving each other, they are sticking up for each other, they are praying for their sister and all the adults involved. They have brought her cards, and flowers, and chocolate. Hugs have abounded and again, I am so blessed to see my little children walking through this with patience and love, clinging to their Heavenly Father.
17. My Stubborn Nefew’s Mother. She and her husband deserve some kind of award. My Sis has been a rock through all of this, from talking to us on the phone when the accident happened, to 7 days later still very willing taking care of my other 3 kiddos. She has taken them to do special things, brought them to the hospital to visit, hugged them, loved them, and loved us through it. My brother-in-law cared for the children the night of the accident, telling me, “I cut their food up really small.” Funny, but I really appreciated that :)
18. My Mom and Dad came to the hospital and have been a constant support for us. Mom has continued to come help me everyday this week, when Dad had to go back to work. Just her being here has been such a help to me, when I need a shower, an extra pair of hands, or just a hug.
19. Music. Ya’ll know I love music. Songs of praise and worship kept running through my head while we were at the hospital. Songs of God’s love, of His grace to us as we struggle…for the life of me I couldn’t tell you the names of the songs…but the Holy Spirit used them to minister to me while I was hurting. And verses that I had memorized, that I had hidden in my heart, ministered to me…
All things work together for good to those who love the Lord.
Consider it all joy my brethren when you endure trials of every kind, knowing that the testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance makes us complete.
Cast all your cares on Him for He cares for you
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
My Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills…
All my paraphrase :)
For all these things and more, I will say “Praise the Lord Most High! Praise His Holy Name!”
Making me cry… :) God is GREAT!