I promised when I started this blog I would do my best to share all aspects of my life and not the shiny, squeaky clean, insta-envy moments. So sorry for the long and out of character post, but I wanted to share this testimony and the faithfulness of God.
On August 24th, 2015, my day started off as any other Monday. I was rushing to get to class on time and worried if I would like the new class that I just switched into at 8 AM. I crammed for my French quiz for 10 minutes on the transit all while constantly checking my phone to see if I would make it on time. I sprinted off of the bus and slid into my seat with 30 seconds to spare.
It started off as any other Monday.
I took a break in between my calculus class and my French quiz to study and eat breakfast. As I was finishing up, I received a text from my sister; my grandfather had passed away. Initially, I was numb. I sat on the third floor of our student center, unsure of what to do. He was 86 and had been sick for a while, so his passing didn’t come as a shock. However the idea of someone so close to me dying was surreal. I decided to leave immediately after my quiz and take the first transit back to my house. I packed up my duffel bag for one night, buckled in, and started out for Columbus; a route I had taken so many times I’ve lost count.
It started off as any other monday.
I changed my music to my “Feel The Spirit” playlist, a group of songs filled with praise and worship music. Recently my roommate and I said how much we should start listening to worship music in the car because of how much it lifts your spirit. I settled on “Beautiful Things” by Gungor and immediately felt a sense of calm, but a weird thought kept creeping in my mind. “Grandpa and I had the same birthday: August 11th. We came into the world on the same day. Wouldn’t it be weird if we went out on the same day too?” It gave me chills to think about, so I just turned up the music more.
It wasn’t just another day.
I exited off and turned on to the highway. Only 20 minutes left until I can hug and comfort my mom. There was a vehicle in front of me looking to turn into a home right off of the road, but seemed a bit lost. As he kept slowing down and figuring out which home he was looking for, I tried to merge into another lane. I shook my head as I saw everyone passing me and the truck at a complete stop in the front. I remember I let out an exasperated sigh as I looked into my rearview mirror. That’s when I saw the truck barreling down the highway at 70 MPH coming straight towards me. The next thing I remember is hearing the glass shattering and skidding down the road for a good 450 feet. My left shoe was stuck on something, but I wiggled out of it. I exited my car through the front passenger side in time to see the first of many explosions from my gas tank.
I cried when I called my mom, when I saw the look on everyone’s faces as they glanced at my car and back to me, and finally at the thought of my grandfather. All of those emotions were too much for one day. And while the process of recovering everything from school supplies to my car will take a while, I’m happy that they’re all things that are replaceable.
God’s hand was over my family from the beginning of the day to the end. We had friends call and check in, bring over dinner, and even give me an old phone to use. The Lord is faithful. When I saw what the fire and truck had done to my car, all of the “what-if” scenarios played back in my mind. But instead I choose to dwell in the present and focus on what is before me because it is evident that God is not done with me yet. If you look at the picture below, many people have commented and said it looks like an angel was protecting me (and it just happens to be by the only door I was able to escape out of).
This next month will be full of readjustments and painful moments for my family. Please continue to pray for peace and wisdom through the legal process and planning of both situations. Thank you to everyone who has been such a big help so far. I ask everyone to remember that our God is GREATER and able to carry us through the darkest of storms. {Romans 8:28,31}
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Tomi, I am so sorry you had the awful accident. I praise the Lord for His watch care over you through it all. I pray comfort for your family in the loss of your dear grandfather. I am proud that you shared your wonderful testimony of praise to the Lord. You are an exceptional young lady. I knew from our time in third grade that you would do great things for the Lord. Praying God’s rich blessings on you and your family. Love you.
Tomi, I am astounded at the deliverance you experienced from this horrendous car accident. You didn’t mention any injuries. I hope that is because you have none. I am praising God with you, dear girl.
Hi Mrs. Ahlman! I do have a few injuries, but nothing that initially looks too serious. It could’ve been a lot worse and I’ve thanked God every day since then for His deliverance!
Tomi,
You don’t know me, but our lives touched in many ways this Monday. While at work, I got a text and a phone call from my Dad, a baptiat pastor. He was sitting in the traffic on the opposite side of the road from you, just 6 cars back. The text was a photo of your wreck. He had aent it to me and my Stepmom also. We all immediately started praying for you. Not long after I got that call from my dad, did I get an email for prayer request for you from a close family friend of yours, who sits just a few cubes away from me at work. He left work to come meet your family at the hospital. Just after that, another co-worker cane by to check with hkm to see if it was someone she knew. I pointed out the part of the email about your grandfather passing, which then let her know it was you. This was the mother of one of your friends. Thankfully thru her I was given the updates on how you were, and was able to pass it along to my dad and stepmom. We cried tears of joy, for a young lady we had never met, and for God’s grace that he has put over you. I know he has big plans for you.
Sorry for the typos, I’m sending from my phone, and it’s hard enough to do without trying to see thru the tears I cried as I typed that.
Amazing. Thank you for praying for me not as a complete stranger, but as a sister in Christ. It means more to me than you will ever know. I believe in the power of prayer and know it’s the reason (along with God’s will) that I am alive and healthy today. God bless you and your family of prayer warriors!
What a blessing! I’m so sorry for your grandpa’s passing. It makes me even more sorry to think of what could have happened, but God is indeed greater! I’m so happy you’re okay. :)
We should celebrate the life God gives us and for every pause between breaths we should always remember His grace and mercy. Your blog post really helped me to remember this.
Thanks Tomi!! You and your family will be in my prayers tonight! Love you <3
Love you friend. I’m glad that it helped you! Thank you so much for reading, Danielle!