Car accident alters my plans, not God's

By David J. Fenech
One of the best presents I have ever received was from a dear friend who was fond of reminding me that, "God is good!" -- even when things seem bad.

She gave me a lasting and precious gift of hope in the Lord. She gave me the gift of Jeremiah 29:11-14, "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you call me, when you go to pray to me, I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the LORD, and I will change your lot."

I have since commited this scripture to heart and meditate on it with joy daily. I do so as I call upon the Lord and try to seek Him with all my heart. This scripture has bouyed my spirit especially during some pretty tough times when voracious depression has tried to chew me up or swallow me whole.

I did not fully realize the depth of its profound power until my life was turned upside down in the blink of an eye on a cold Michigan winter night. It was around 10 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2008. I was stopped at a four-way intersection about a mile from my home. Suddenly, the small car I was driving was struck with tremendous force from behind by a drunk driver in a sport utility vehicle.

My neck broke and I sustained closed-head traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder. I am recovering in an impatient residential rehabilitation facility that specializes in treating crash victims with brain injuries.

My old plans may have come to a screeching halt. As for my future? It is way too early to tell -- but I do know, without a doubt, it will be a future of hope and joy. Our Lord keeps reminding me of that through all of my loved ones and all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

In the meantime, I will continue to call upon the Lord, pray to him, and seek him with all my heart. HE will do the rest! God IS good. I know my future, whatever it is, is in His good hands.

Until next time, please, Loved Ones, let me paraphrase St. Paul and encourage you all to continue to stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, and do everything you do with great love! And may the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

With love,
Dave