Thankful for a God who goes before: personal || dfw wedding photographer

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

This morning I sat out on our back porch and carefully picked shards of glass out of my purse, the whole time thanking God that the glass had imbedded itself in the lining and contents of my purse, and not in my body.

Saturday afternoon I was on my way to East Texas for a portrait session when I got in a very serious car accident.  I was driving 70 mph down a country highway when someone going the opposite direction turned onto a crossroad right in front of me.  It all happened so fast, I saw him coming but assumed that he was going to stop and wait for me to pass before he made the turn, and when I realized at the last second that he didn't see me and wasn't stopping I slammed on my brakes and turned away from him, knowing that hitting him was inevitable, but trying to minimize the accident as much as possible.  I slammed into the front end of his truck (probably going about 55-60 mph at that point) my car flipped onto its side and slid down the road, then began to roll as soon as I hit the grass.  My airbag deployed, my front windshield shattered (but didn't fall in), and the entire front end of my car was mutilated.  

"And the Lord, He is the One who goes before youHe will be with you,
He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."   duet. 31:8

"...the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard   Then you shall call,
and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'"   is. 58:8-9

As I sat there on the back of someones car who had pulled over to help, waiting for the ambulance to arrive, those were some of the first verses that came to mind.  The accident played over and over again in my mind and looking at my car I couldn't believe that I was alive, but not just alive, that I was without injury.  I spent the next 4 hours laying in an ER bed going over and over all the things that I was grateful for and overwhelmed with how carefully my God had orchestrated events to protect me. 

--Grateful that I hadn't been talking on the phone or looking at my GPS at the time.  I had been doing both just a few minutes before the accident.  But after talking for a few minutes my friend had to go, and though I had been looking at my GPS alot (I was not at all familiar with the area I was headed to) I had just turned onto a new highway that I knew I was going to be on for a long time, so I wasn't worried about checking my map.  If I had been distracted at all my reaction time would have been much slower, and I probably would have completely T-boned him instead of being able to turn away from him and minimize the impact.  My God went before me and was with me...

--Grateful that I was headed to a portrait session and not a wedding.  I've worried so much about getting in a terrible accident on my way to shoot a wedding and all the chaos that would cause, so I am SO grateful that I was on my way to a portrait session (which can be rescheduled) and not a wedding.  My God went before me and was with me...

--Grateful for the extra goodbye kisses I had laughingly given my husband before saying goodbye, and the "I love you's" that we always exchange before either of us leaves.  Obviously I was going to see him again, but as I lay there thinking about him and waiting the two hours it took for him to get to me (actually, it was a two hour drive, but he made preeeetty good time;) I was thinking "what if I had died?" and was so very very glad that I'd left him with "I love you" and a kiss.  My God went before me and was with me...

--Grateful that I wasn't pregnant.  A few weeks ago I had gotten my hopes up that maybe I was, and shed a few tears when I realized I wasn't.  I cried again on saturday as I realized how I probably could/would have miscarried if I'd been pregnant while in that accident.  Overwhelmed with how God ALWAYS knows best, and has my best in mind.  My God went before me and was with me...

--Grateful for my mercedes (that is now totalled) but is apparently one of the safest cars on the road, and several people have told me that probably had a lot to do with how little I was injured despite the seriousness of the accident.  I bought the car 11 months ago, a car that I wouldn't normally be able to afford, and I'm thankful for the safety that God provided months ahead of time in that car.  My God went before me and was with me...
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I walked away with bruised knees & arms, a sore neck, and a tiny cut on my elbow.  "The Lord is good to all and His tender mercies are over all His works."  God did not owe it to me to keep me from injury or death, and had I been hurt or died in the accident that wouldn't have changed how perfectly kind and good my God is.  Had I died I would have spent Christmas in HIS presence. (joy!)  But I'm grateful all the same that He protected me from injury and excited to know for certain that He still has plans for me here!
Much Love,
Jessica Shae
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53 comments:

  1. I just got goosebumps. God is so good and powerful! So glad you're safe!
    xx Natalia

    http://elantheblog.blogspot.com/

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  2. oh, Jessica. chills. I started crying reading this. a beautiful testament to God's goodness. our God goes before us -- what an overwhelming, precious truth! so incredibly thankful that you are okay, sweet sweet friend. ♥

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    1. and just as you said, God is good always, but grateful that you are here today.

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  3. So thankful for such a gracious and loving God! Was talking to Sarah last night and am so glad to hear you're ok!

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  4. Thanking and praising our faithful Father with you, dear friend!!

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  5. I'm so so so glad you are okay my sweet friend. Minor car accidents are scary enough, I can't imagine going that fast or rolling over! So grateful to the Lord for protecting you. xoxo Lyd

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  6. PRAISE the Lord for how he orchestrated that--I can't imagine how scary that was and I am SO thankful you are okay.

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  7. I'm so thankful you're okay!!! God is good....all the time!

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  8. What a BEAUTIFUL testimony to the great and mighty goodness and grace of our Lord in our lives, as His children. I am praising Him today too, for keeping you in His care, AND allowing to to stay here on earth for hopefully a loonng while more! ;)
    HE is SO GOOD!!! Praise Him!!
    Much love,
    Joanna

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  9. oh my goodness, I'm SO glad you're okay! God is so good!

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  10. WOW! Praise God that you are still alive and that your injuries are very minor! God is so powerful and is with us all the time. Even when we cannot feel Him, He is there, watching over us, caring for us, and loving us.
    Glad you're okay! <3 God bless!
    A Servant 4 Christ,
    Lizzie

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  11. What a powerful testimony.... *shudders* The Lord is good to His children, even if things could have turned out differently.

    Praising the Lord for His grace on you! Indeed, He must still have some big plans for you in store. ;)

    Take care!

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  12. Oh Jess! I am praising God right now for His sovereignty in all circumstances & His protection over your very precious life! So relieved that you are doing well & praying that He'll give you continued peace of mind when you go back out on the road.

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  13. SO glad you are okay!! SO thankful that His hand was upon you!


    xoxo

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  14. So grateful that you are okay, that God is in control, and to see Him actively working in your life. I love you so much!

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  15. All glory to God that you're ok. wow. You'll take that testimony with you for the rest of your life! Thanks so much for sharing and giving glory to our sovereign God!

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  16. Wow. So thankful for God's hand of protection! Glad you're alright. =)

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  17. God is SO good! I am so glad that He protected you, and how He worked everything out!

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  18. SO incredibly glad that you are ok, Jessica! What a powerful story! God truly had and still has you in His hand.

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  19. praise the Lord! you truly have the hand of God on your life. i'm so glad you're okay! i literally started crying reading. oh my goodness. showing this to everyone.

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  20. Praise the Lord Jessica! Thankful you are ok. God is so good.

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  21. I'm so grateful that you came out of this relatively unscathed, and for the way you shared this so beautifully.

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  22. Jessica you have been such an encouragment to me over the years as I've read your blog and am so glad to hear you are well.
    What an awesome testament to the love and power of God! It is humbling when you or someone you love comes close to death and you realize that God still has plans for your life!

    Hope you have a great day!
    Emily

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  23. So thankful you are okay. That is so incredibly scary! I literally had chills as I was reading this post...

    It's always so encouraging to me when I hear about how others have seen His hand in their lives. He truly DOES care about His precious children, whether we "see" Him or not. Thank you for sharing your story. Praising Him that you are okay. He must still have big plans for you, lady. :)

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  24. wonderful testimony and beautiful promises! I am so thankful that God protected you!!

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  25. So happy that you are okay Jessica! prayers for quick healing!

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  26. your faith is so strong - it's amazing. love reading about how you trusted in the Lord with your welfare. thanks for the encouragement. :)

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  27. Ohhh my word... SO happy you are okay! God is good.

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  28. Oh Jessica, so amazing. How good and perfect His will always is!! Incredibly relieved that you're ok...and thank you for this reminder. So much truth.

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  29. So grateful you are okay! It is truly amazing how God cares for us and goes before...

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  30. Thankful to the Lord that you are ok! What a testimony to His faithfulness to keep watch over His children.

    (long-time blog reader and admirer of your work, first time commentor :)

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  31. Praise the Lord for His protection! It is wonderful that you are able to give Him glory by telling the story!

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  32. I got chills reading this. I'm so glad that God kept you safe through it all. Isn't it amazing when you can see God's hand so clearly in your life?

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  33. I am so glad that your ok, and God is amazing

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  34. O my darling, I'm so glad I wasn't on the phone with you, I would NEVER have forgiven myself if you were seriously hurt. Praise our all-powerful God who watches over us. xoxo

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  35. Praise the Lord for his perfect ways and for sparing you, my darling friend <3

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  36. So glad that you're alright, Jessica! I hope everything is well with you!

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  37. WOW! Praise the Lord. I'm so happy you are safe.

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  38. Didnt you guys just get married? why would you be sad about not being preggers! no need to rush girl! Enjoy this time alone with your man, all in time

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  39. Jessica, I'm so relieved to know that you are okay. God is truly amazing and He was watching out for you because He has a bigger plan for your life here on earth. Your story is such a testimony of our loving Heavenly Father's goodness and mercy. Tears were definitely shed by my whole family when reading this. Love you girl! <3

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  40. Jessica. I'm so very grateful. Thank the Lord you are SAFE, and always in His hands. Thank you for sharing this. Life is so frail and futile.. it's very important to have the prospect of death raised before your eyes once in awhile. When someone have a near-death experience, it makes them think. You are here for a purpose. God is in control. Love you so much!! <3

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  41. i am so greatful that you are alright :) the Lord surely watches over his own.

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  42. oh wow. that is an amazing story of God's protection! Praise Jesus.

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  43. Thank you so much for sharing, Jessica. Powerful indeed. Praise God! My theme verse this week has been John 3:27: "To this John replied, 'A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.'" He is so good.
    I'm so grateful that you are okay! <3

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  44. What an amazing testimony!! This gives such glory to God! First of all, I'm extremely thankful that God protected you and that you are safe and well and doing ok. Secondly, I want to thank you for writing this post. It is full of encouragement and trust in God and really gives glory to God by showing the work He's done in your life and it also gives testimony to how God does orchestrate the events of our lives for His perfect plan even when we may not understand why something happens to us, it's God's will. What comfort.

    Blessings!

    -Madi

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  45. Man, God is good. Thankful for his mercies to you.

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  46. Oh, Jessica, I was so encouraged by your testimony of the Lord's protection during the accident. So thankful that you are okay. Those verses are so encouraging...so thankful that He goes before us and is with us. Thank you for sharing, Jessica. Blessings!

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  47. It is so amazing how wonderful our Heavenly Father is, He will take care of us. :) I hope you are feeling better!

    autumnbouquet.blogspot.com

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  48. Oh, my Lord.

    I saw the link for this via a retweet in Hannah Nicole's twitter stream... and to be honest I was worried. I've never commented here before, but I check back every now and then and you're one of my favorite bloggers. Thank God you're okay! :)

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  49. ohmyword. so thankful that you are okay and still here!

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  50. what an amazing story of His faithfulness to you, Jessica! this was a pretty encouraging read. :)

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Oh hey!
Thanks for taking the time to say hello, it makes my day everytime! :)

Jessica Shae