Your Life Can Change in a Heartbeat

A few weeks ago, my life was dramatically changed in a heartbeat when I slipped on a patch of ice. It happened so fast.

I found myself on the ground, laying on my right side, and unable to move my left leg. My wife wasn’t with me; however, there were other people around and several good Samaritans came to my aid, called 911, and called my wife to let her know what happened. At that point I had no idea the extent of my injury, I just knew I was in a lot of pain and couldn’t move my leg.

I was transported to the local hospital and the x-rays showed I had broken my left femur. It was a small rural hospital, so I took a two-hour ambulance ride to a larger hospital that had a surgeon available to make the repair. The next morning, he did a masterful job repairing an ugly break. It’s too soon to know what the recovery will entail other than it will take some time.

All of this to say each of our lives can change in a heartbeat.

The church I attend is in a sermon series titled, “Your Days are Numbered so Make Them Count.” My accident really brought home that thought. What if I had hit my head or broken my back. Although my injury was (and still is) painful, I will recover. A broken bone will heal. But what if…...?

Here’s what I have learned through this life situation so far –

• be grateful for everyday God gives you,

• be grateful for your family and friends because you never know when you will really need them,

• life is a team sport,

• be there for others and they will be there for you,

• prayer works,

• my loving wife is a Godsend.

• there are many people who deal with far worse circumstances each day,

• I could go on, but I’ll stop here.

Helen Keller once said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."

From this day forward, I am doubling down on MAKING EVERYDAY COUNT.

How about you?