Bike Collisions and the Sovereignty of God
I got hit by a car yesterday on my bike. Actually it was a truck.
I was on the right-hand side of the road, the truck was in front of me. We were traveling around Hains Point. I was enjoying the cherry blossoms. She was looking for a parking space. Suddenly she saw one on the right and turned into it. I pulled my brakes. I yelled, NO!! And then I slammed into the passenger door. It was my left arm that hit the car first… and squeaked down the side causing some weird bleeding inside my arm. Then my left hip hit the car as I swung into it. Then my right leg hit the ground and I rolled away while my bike skittered the other direction.
It’s actually a fairly common bike-car collision: bike wanders into vehicle blind spot. Vehicle doesn’t look before it turns right. I’ve avoided more of these than I care to admit. This is the first one that got me. Probably my fault.
I jumped up and walked around. Everything worked. I picked up my bike– both wheels good. Had to put the chain back on. I knew I could make it home.
I was not expecting the driver to come after me. I think she started yelling before she opened her door. Something about $%@# bikes on the %^&#@ road. Then a lecture for me on how I need to be more careful. She’s probably right. But she never got to, ‘are you ok?’ or ‘I’m sorry for hitting you with my truck.’ I am always intrigued by the way people handle hard situations– how their brokenness comes out. Do they attack, withdraw, blameshift, defend, call names? I got all 5.
This morning I was reading Psalm 44.
We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.
And I was thinking about what it’s like to not be seen, to be missed, to be overlooked. There are so many situations I am aware of right now where God seems to have ‘overlooked’. I have a dear friend whose Mom fell, hit her head, and this morning she passed away. I have a dear friend whose Dad suffered for a long time and then passed away on Sunday. I have a dear friend whose nephew died in a tragic accident. My son has a dear friend whose younger sister just passed away on Friday. I have a dear friend who longs to be married. I have a dear friend who longs to be set free from a difficult situation. I have a dear friend who can’t figure out how to love his wife. I have a dear friend who wants a job that uses his gifts. My heart breaks as I hear these stories. Sometimes I feel like my whole job as a pastor is to say ‘I don’t know why this happened…’
Sometimes it feels like we got stuck in God’s blindspot.
But God never loses track of us. He doesn’t swerve and not know we are there. He is always in control. I stake my life on it, even when life is full of loss, disappointment, and frustration. For me, I need to hear again what God did in days long ago and what he has done just last week. I need people around me who remind me of who God is. I need to be in the Scriptures that reveal His character and true nature.
The people of God and the Word of God. God’s gifts when we feel overlooked.
April 5, 2011 @ 10:38 am
it was not your fault — it was hers. no need to take the blame!
April 5, 2011 @ 10:41 am
David, glad you are okay. So scary! Thanks for this reminder that God is always with us, no matter the situation or circumstance.
April 5, 2011 @ 10:44 am
Too, I am glad you are okay. And I’m thankful you shared the other thoughts…much needed word in this season.
April 5, 2011 @ 10:58 am
Did you at least dent her truck? Maybe leave a little blood on it?
At any rate, glad you’re ok. And the bike too.
April 5, 2011 @ 11:07 am
wish i was there! would’ve given that lady a piece of my mind : )
this is a relevant and encouraging reminder for me, that God never overlooks or forgets us. great post!
April 5, 2011 @ 1:22 pm
Good thoughts. Glad you’re OK. Glad the Psalms are in the Bible. Glad I’m never invisible to God. Thank you….
April 5, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
Beautiful day for an accident though.
Glad you are ok.
April 5, 2011 @ 10:23 pm
Got hit by a truck 20+ years ago now coming up 15th Street in DC rush hour traffic–truck door, into shoulder, fell sideways but did not go down in front of a car. Grace. Accidents just happen. Grace does not. I am reminded that the root of apostasy is the failure to remember. I forgot about that until today. Thanks for reminding me David of how God cares for us. Put a stone down on this one, too.
April 6, 2011 @ 10:56 am
Every time I get angry at a car, I try to remember that there are pedestrians whom I have wronged while on my bike. That being said, while I realize either of you could have been at fault, the driver’s lack of demonstrated concern for your condition reveals incorrectly ordered priorities. It is a good reminder of the importance of keeping ourselves centered on others.
April 6, 2011 @ 2:16 pm
GLAD YOU ARE OK! Thank you for taking this awful experience and turning it into an opportunity to share your reflections and insights to encourage us.
April 6, 2011 @ 4:14 pm
This reminds me of the riveting sermon you gave at TFC about the bike ride you mistakenly took on the GW parkway. You are a tough guy…you must have had on the whole armour of God this time too. I am so glad you are all right.