Last Saturday I was finishing up a few things hoping to get to bed early. We had planned to drive to California for a few days of spring break to see my parents and I knew I would need a good night's sleep to make the trip safely. We had company and I was waiting for Bri to get home from a charity event where she was performing. I checked my phone for a message from Bri and saw that I had a voicemail. It was strange because, only minutes before, Bri had sent me a text saying she was leaving the concert and was heading home. I listened to the message and heard the voice of a very scared young lady who said, "Mom, I just got hit. I need you to come right now." I called her back and immediately got into the car.  She was only about a mile away but it felt like it was a lot further. She was very shaken up but seemed okay. In addition to the trauma of the accident, the people who had hit her had yelled and swore at her and told her the accident was her fault (even though they had not yielded as they turned left on a green light). The police arrived a few minutes before me and Bri had moved the car to the side of the road by the time I arrived. Bri had a bad headache from the impact and the airbags as well as some burns on her arms but otherwise seemed shaken up but okay. After finishing up the police report and having Bri checked at the emergency room, we headed home. When I took a few minutes to pray and reflect on the events of the evening, I realized that while I was driving to the accident, I had been reviewing all of the trials that have come to our family in the last 6 months. In addition to dealing with Mike's stroke and disabilities, we lost almost all income, the refrigerator broke and the "fixed" refrigerator leaked into the basement, the broken dyer , the personal struggles of each of the children, car troubles, Mike's grand mal seizure at the dinner table and efforts to get his medications right, the family dog dying,  my struggles to get myself ready to return to the workplace, etc. It seemed almost comical to add this accident to the list. Then, like a gentle blessing came into my mind these words, "But have you forgotten what My Hand has done?" Suddenly my mind was filled with the images of the miracles that have been a part of my life. I saw the faces of my visiting teachers who have loved and served, listened and counseled, our home teachers who have taught, served and blessed us, neighbors and friends who have fasted and prayed for us and who have listened, strengthened and counseled with me, our church choir that lovingly accepted Mike as he relearns how to sing, therapists, family members reaching out to us, some incredible and miraculous financial blessings, and powerful lessons learned by our children. It was like a slide show playing in my mind and I felt humbled. There have been times in my life and in this recent journey when, in my stubborn pride, I have needed and received a strong rebuke from the Lord. There have also been times like these when the Lord seems to know that my heart is tender and He teaches me with gentle reminders that this is His plan and that He is preparing me for His purposes.