Held in God’s Arms by B J Bassett

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.