I can’t believe it’s been two years already. Two years since the tragic accident, the phone call in the middle of the night; the long, 500 mile drive north; tears finally coming as I entered the hospital lobby. Two years since I stepped into the ICU room where my critically–injured child was lying in a bed broken and bruised, undergoing one of nine blood transfusions, hooked up to an oxygen machine. Two years since peace finally came the minute she looked up at me and said, “Hi, Mommy!”
My then eighteen-year-old’s accident and injury were by far the worst experience of my life so far. Beyond the physical, just knowing that she and her friends had experienced such a horrific event, and that one had died, was an emotionally heavy load for them and for those who love them. My heart was heavy for them, all of them, and most of all for the family of the girl now in heaven.
But God is good. Period. That’s what my friend said to me the minute I arrived in the ICU waiting room. “God is good,” she whispered in my ear over and over as she hugged me and let me cry. That’s all she said and all she needed to say, for it is true.
God is good when everything is going well. God is good when your child is in critical condition and you’re not sure what comes next.
God is good when my child is healed, healthy and whole and laughing and singing. When just looking at her reminds me of His goodness.
God is good when I think of another mom, whose daughter did not survive. Her daughter is also healthy and whole, laughing and singing, but oh! how she longs to be with her. I can honestly tell you that this mom would say God is good. Because I’ve seen and heard her say it through her pain. And because this wonderful woman has been an instrument in my daughter’s and her friends’ healing. An instrument of encouragement, not condemnation. Of peace, of joy, because she knows the truth—God is good.
God is good when, sometimes, some of us have some residual anxiety. I’ve heard it called “post-traumatic stress syndrome.” Whatever it is, it’s a consequence of what happened, and we deal with it by turning to the One Who is good, all-powerful, loving, and kind. Who allows us to experience tragedy and trial, yet stays by our side the whole time, His arms wrapped around us, lovingly whispering “Child, I am with you.”
God is good.
“Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”– Psalm 107:8
~ By Kim, Daisy Muse
Wow, that’s hard to believe it’s been two years! Thank you for this. A good reminder. God IS good.
Yes, God is good even when it is your child who died in the accident. God is good because He gave His Son so that my sweet Hannah could be immediately with the Lord and her momma could have peace in knowing she is forever safe, and we will see her again.What do people of with tragedy when they don’t know our wonderful Lord, our good God? He is so good! Thank you for this.
Oh Terri, I love you! =) You don’t know how many times I think of Hannah… mostly when we’re singing the most worshipful songs in church. I see her in heaven, singing to Jesus, just enjoying Him.