It’s been almost three weeks since I was hit by a car riding to work. That’s the day my life made a hard stop and took a radical step backwards. I am back to baby steps. On one hand it is kind of surreal, on the other hand, it is very real.

Each day is a new beginning. I’m learning to ask because I am unable of doing much of anything for myself.  I am paying more attention to my body screaming at me to sit and rest before I’ve done too much; even though “too much” is really nothing at all. It’s weird going from independent to totally dependent.

The thing is in these kinds of situations, people want to help, they really do. People who are hurt don’t always like asking. I’m guilty of that. I think I am bothering someone, interrupting something important, or being too needy. It takes humility to ask, to depend, to let someone do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Funny how God is helping me work on my pride through all this. I did ask for more humility after all. I don’t think I knew what that was going to cost, or how God might make a humility opportunity happen. God knows exactly what is necessary to  bring about our holiness.

This Easter I intentionally thanked God for the gift of my life, for this second chance. I could be very buried by now. A faint painful memory, a distant memory on the minds of those that once knew me, a life once lived and then cruelly, unexpectedly taken away.

Instead, I am here. Broken, scarred, bruised, and a little worse for the wear; but alive.

Let me not waste this day, this moment, nor this second chance.

The God of the universe has given me a chance to continue to serve Him even in my messed up state.  Perhaps to spread hope instead of misery, to see life through wiser eyes and a grateful heart.

And if I might just give one little piece of advice to my fellow bikers out there; wear a helmet. Don’t assume cars can see you, don’t cross in the middle of a busy road in the dark just cause you think it is clear.  Be careful out there, or you will end up like me or worse. Motorists are distracted and likely do not see you. If you want to live another day be extra cautious, and anticipate the unexpected.

Alleluia! I’m alive!