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. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
I
was driving along the highway when a car pulled in front of me from a cross
street. In an instant, I knew it was impossible to prevent hitting the driver
and possibly killing him. I slammed on my brakes and swerved into the fast lane
in hopes of avoiding the inevitable. For a second, I thought I might have escaped
what was about to happen, but I was wrong. His car hit my passenger side hard.
This is bad, I thought, but it was only the beginning.
Witnesses
told me later that it looked like a NASCAR accident. My car propelled up in the
air, flipped, and rolled three times. It happened so fast there wasn’t time to
pray, yet I felt God’s presence. Inside my car, I felt a peace, and I was ready
to meet my Maker. I felt arms holding me. I thought this has to be God, or
could it be one of His angels? It was an awesome feeling I will never forget.
Some
folks need a touch from God, and others need to be held in His loving,
protective arms. I was ready to be welcomed home by my Heavenly Father, but He
had other plans for me.
“God must not be finished with me yet,” I said
to shocked witnesses as I climbed out of my car. Although shaken, I walked away
from the accident without a scratch.
I’m
not sure why I was in a horrific car accident, nor why I was miraculously
spared. What I do know is that I am ready for my next assignment on the path of
life God has set before me and the next chapter in my life.
I
don’t think God caused my car accident, but I do believe he turns bad things
into good for those who put their trust in Him. That’s what He did for me, as a
result of the accident; I received a settlement check from the other driver’s insurance
company.
They
referred to the settlement as pain and suffering. No doubt, my pain and
suffering include my apprehension while riding in a car. My husband, Ed, said
he should be paid for pain and suffering because he’s the one who has to listen
to me when I warn, “Do you see that car?” Or I shout, “Stop! Stop! Stop!” My
voice grows louder each time I yell stop.
Ed
and I discussed what to do with the unexpected money. Because we live on a
small income, we had many options on how to use it. I added another choice when
I shared my dream of self-publishing my novel. We decided to use the settlement
money to self-publish the book I’d worked on for 27 years. Although rejected by
countless agents and editors, I believed in the story and wanted to see it in
print. At the time of the accident, I couldn’t imagine that it would result in the
publication of my book.
The
theme of my book is God saves sinners. I believe some will never read the Bible
but will read a novel. So I included God’s plan of salvation in my book.
My
historical novel, Lily, is not only a
book for believers but a tool as well for believers to share their faith with
others.
I believe
God called me to write Lily, and He
has blessed me to see it published in my lifetime.
Heavenly
Father, thank You for holding me in Your arms as the car rolled over, and over,
and over again. I feel blessed to have walked away from that horrific accident.
May my story of being held in Your arms be a testament to Your modern-day
miracles. Amen.
B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and
speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story;
and coauthor of a children’s devotional My
Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000
copies sold.
As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a
Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on
Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 -
February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.
Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper
publishers include Focus on the Family,
Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to
God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace,
WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).
She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College,
Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft
Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life,
but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion
questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published
book.
Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).
She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm
scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.
Banana Split Personalities 
