I was at a local restaurant celebrating some neighbors’ birthdays, as we do every quarter. As I left, it began to rain. Since the rain had just started, the oil on the freeway was just beginning to come to the surface. Of course, you have to slow down.

Unfortunately, I didn’t think about that when I got on the on-ramp. As I accelerated, the car slid to my left. I quickly turned right and the car swerved too far. So, I went back to the left while trying to avoid the cars speeding past me. Going too far again, I turned.
Finally, I stopped, thanks to the guardrail. I threw it into Park and began to breathe again. Eventually, I calmed down enough to think. I realized I wasn’t hurt and thanked God for that. I mean that literally, for those of you who don’t know me well.  

After about 10-15 minutes I relaxed a little and decided I could drive again as long as the car would start. It did. Then I realized I was on a curve of the freeway and no one could see me stopped there. So it was crucial for ME to be able to see if anyone was coming around the curve.

Once I got back on the freeway, I wanted to get off as soon as I could. That way if the car had any damage affecting its drivability I’d at least be on a side street, more out of harm’s way, and able to call for help.

I stopped in a parking lot a couple miles from home to see if any of the tires were flat, even though it seemed to drive well. Finding no problems, I drove home.
I was still shaken when I got home, but I realized how much God had protected me.
• I wasn’t hurt.
• No one else was in the accident.
• The car was still drivable, even though it rattled.
• I managed to get the car unstuck from the guardrail after rocking it back and forth a bit.
• I got on the freeway safely again, even though oncoming traffic couldn’t see me.

Even though it’s drivable, the right headlight was knocked out and driving a car like that is illegal here. I had to get it fixed before going anywhere else.

Fortunately, I have a friend who loves to fix cars and is an insurance adjuster. So, he knows what a car’s worth, what kind of work it needs, and how much it’ll cost.

Rick came over the next day and took a look at the car. It’s got a lot of damage, as you can see. The right headlight was all but disconnected, the right fender’s smashed in, and I can’t open the door. Even the driver’s side door is banged in and scrapes when I open it. And the hood needs to be replaced. When I asked Rick if it was totaled, he shook his head, but added that it would be if I were to take it to a dealer.

I gave it to him to repair and he had a good time at the junkyard, finding the parts it needed, and  putting it back together again.  It took him less than a week and it actually looks better than it did before! Now I can get back to going where I want to, without having to depend on anyone else for a ride.

So I’ve got a lot to be thankful for.  God protected me from harm, even though the accident was on a freeway in the rain. No one else was in the wreck. I was able to drive the car home, and a friend of  mine fixed it, so I didn’t have to make a claim on the insurance my rates won’t go up.  Rick’s help in fixing my car made the whole incident much better than it would’ve been.  Thanks Rick!