When my daughter was hit by a car, two angels clothed in human skin came to her rescue, reminding me we can always find grace in our bitter places. A car full of young guys listening to blaring music couldn’t brake in time and knocked Camilla and another girl down in the street. But while the girls struggled to get up, an elderly couple got out of their vehicle and said, “We’re taking you to the hospital right now.”
“I’ll be okay,” Camilla said, but she was in shock and couldn’t walk. The old woman somehow picked my daughter up all by herself and carried her to their car. Then this couple waited at the emergency room while medical technicians examined both girls. The only thing they found was that my girl had a sprained ankle.
I didn’t even know about the accident until I got a crying phone call. Back in our living room later, I pieced together the story and tried not to be worried by the mindless ramblings of a girl in shock.
That elderly man and woman were bright spots of God’s grace in a story that was hard to hear. They stopped in their tracks to help two strangers, and I’ll be forever grateful.
Because the driver who hit my daughter didn’t stop.
I’ll never know how someone can just drive on without even stopping to see if two people he plowed down on the street are okay. But I do know I don’t want to waste time wondering about it. For if I think about it too long, bitter poison will grow in my heart.
I’d rather embrace God’s grace than hold on to my own bitterness.
Yes, the guy who hit my daughter drove on, and that was beyond uncool, but rather than hold that thought, I’d rather marvel over how God stepped in to redeem the situation through the kindness of two total strangers. I’d rather thank Him for the miracle that my girl escaped with only sore muscles and a sprain.
What about you? What bitter place is threatening to drag your heart down?
A hard diagnosis, an impossible job, or a marriage gone sour can do harsh things to our hearts. Sometimes even a day gone south can leave a bitter taste in our mouth, but I’m learning that when I cling to dark thoughts, they make my situation worse. They darken my outlook and poison the atmosphere around me when I let them out of my mouth.
What glimmers of God’s grace do you see in your situation today?
What evidences of His mercy do you see? Even when we have to look hard, we can always find a blessing to give thanks for. Maybe God wants to transform your bitter place into a fresh opportunity to see His grace.
Even in our hard places, let’s not miss God’s grace.
No matter our situation, this is still true: “From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another” (John 1:16,7 NLT). Instead of getting stuck in that hard place, set’s ask God to open our eyes to His gracious blessings and give thanks for each one.
And when bitter thoughts come back—and they will—let’s acknowledge them and tell our Father in heaven how we feel. Sometimes it helps to tell one other person and ask for prayer. When we ask, He’ll wash our bitterness away with the sweet waters of His Holy Spirit.
If you’re struggling through troubling circumstances, ask God to transform your bitter place into a fresh opportunity to see His grace. Look for one gracious blessing and give Him thanks. Let’s not miss out on His grace today.
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Hi Betsy, what a fine word about grace and avoiding bitterness. Such a pleasure ro read. I always enjoy coming here.
Thanks so much, Tiffiney. I appreciate your encouragement.
This is great, Betsy–relevant wisdom because bitterness is like acid in our bones. So much better to say “embrace grace” as the new thing to replace the bitterness, making it a two part process rather than just saying, “Let go!”
Yes, Michele. Letting go doesn’t work too well for me, if I don’t have something to pick up! Acid in the bones! That’s vivid. (And true!)
Betsy, I’m so glad your daughter was OK … what an ordeal for her (and her mama). I agree wholeheartedly with what you’ve said here about embracing grace and letting go of bitterness. There are always blessings and silver linings to be found, we just have to be intentional about looking for them. And your advice about what to do when the bitterness comes back is so helpful … Wonderful post, my friend!
Thanks so much, Lois. It WAS an ordeal, almost surreal, but I was so grateful she wasn’t hurt more badly. And yes to embracing grace!
Betsy, first I am glad that your daughter was OK. I am grateful for your sharing your thoughts and wisdom on letting go of bitterness. Much wiser to hold onto God’s life-giving grace than bitterness which will only harm us further. Blessings to you and Camilla!
Thanks, Joanne. This was a struggle for my husband and I, especially after the initial gratitude “wore off!” But I just kept coming back to God’s grace.
Thanks, Betsy, for this gentle reminder that we have a whole bunch of choices to make each day on how we respond to what happens in our lives. Without making those choices, we tend to morph toward bitterness, hopelessness, and other sad places.
Praising God for His grace which makes those choices possible …
You are so right about a whole bunch of choices each day, Linda. I’m praising God for His grace too, friend. Thanks for your perspective, so wise, as always.
Thank you for this post, Betsy, and the reminder to bring bitter feelings (any feelings, really) to God, knowing He understands and promises us His grace and comfort.
I know you know this as well, and have received much grace and comfort, Jeannie. You’d have a lot to be bitter for, but your example inspires me!
What a great reminder, Betsy!
To find the blessing in the places that threaten to be bitter – love this!
Thanks for your ministry!
Sure am blessed by you~
Melanie
Thank you, Melanie! I know you make that choice every day yourself! 🙂 Love to you.
Great post! I just read Proverbs 14:30 this morning, “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” Shared on twitter 🙂 Blessings, Misty
That is a great Proverb, Misty! I did a verse search to write this post and almost included a proverb!
I’m glad Camilla is ok. That must have been so scary for both of you, but I love your perspective of looking for the good and focussing on the kind people who chose to help. It’s true that there is usually a glimmer of hope to be found even in a bad situation.
It was so scary. When I heard the words, “A car hit me,” my heart did double back flips and I almost fainted in my tracks. But I was so grateful she was okay.
Betsy, I so appreciate the wisdom you share here. We have to choose our perspective, don’t we? I’m so thankful for God’s grace and the fact that it’s always available to us. Bitterness never leads to a happy ending or to peace in our hearts.
Thank you for sharing this. I am so glad Camilla wasn’t hurt more seriously.
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Jeanne. I was so glad myself. Others aren’t as fortunate, and for that I have no answer. Only a trust in God’s love and wisdom.
Oh my goodness how scary! I’m glad she is ok and thankful for angels. Grace over bitterness is a difficult choice but ultimately the best.
It really was scary, Sarah! I just had to keep focusing on those two “angels” God provided.
Your story is a beautiful testament to how God changes our hearts for good. Thank you for sharing your struggle with human emotion and how surrendering to Him brings peace. Praises to God who protected Camilla and her friend and provided this couple to help.
Thank you, Debbie. I still can’t get over it. Camilla said, “They just appeared and I don’t know how we got to their car so fast.” But she was in shock and couldn’t see it. I’m guessing they were IN their vehicle, stopped, and got out.
A needed reminder, Betsy, of where our thoughts can lead us – embracing God’s grace or drowning in bitterness. So thankful your story ended well and that God loved your daughter and her friend through the kindness of strangers.
Thank you, Crystal. The strange thing is that the other girl was just another passerby in the street, who also got hit by the car! At first we assumed it was a friend too. But God was gracious, indeed.
I once heard a pastor preach that bitterness is the only thing that can eat it’s own container. It is brave to give up bitterness but if you didn’t you wouldn’t have room in your heart for the joy in knowing that your daughter is safe.
That’s a vivid saying, but I guess it will eat our hearts up! I’d rather focus on His graces.
Betsy, thank you for having the courage to share this. I am so thankful that Camilla is okay. Thank you for the reminder to look for the grace moments; the God moments. Take care of yourself.
Thank you, Leigha. May you find many grace moments yourself!
Dear Betsy, what an amazing lesson! I’ll bet it makes God smile all over His face:) Thank and blessings for sharing your story and gentle reminders that grace is always the best choice.
Yes, Alice. We have no idea how this happened. I wonder if God’s hand somehow held that car back or slowed it down. We don’t know, but I do know that so many others are terribly injured or lose their lives when a car hits them.
Betsy, I’ve held on to bitterness in the past (when my husband lost his job) and it did nothing but make me miserable. The circumstances were bizarre and it was only in hindsight that God revealed He was at work. You’ve written so much wisdom here friend. It makes me think about all the time wasted.
xoxo
Oh Christy, we’ve all wasted time in the past, but God redeems even that, doesn’t He? The years (and weeks or minutes) that the locust has eaten.
Oh my goodness! The strength it takes to intentionally change your focus is insane! But it is worth it. This is what it means to guard our hearts, right? Even if we must make such choices regularly throughout our day. Focus on how God showed up and is redeeming – that is key. Thanks for sharing on Grace & Truth, Betsy! I’ve shared your post on social media.
Yes, it takes strength and focus, doesn’t it Aimee. Yes, when we look to God, we see His grace. Thanks for sharing my post and for hosting at Grace & Truth!
Bitterness does drag down our heart. I like how you say to acknowledge the bitterness. We can’t just ignore it or push it to the side, or it will come erupting back out. But after we acknowledge it, it is then our choice to decide how we will deal with it.
So glad your daughter was fine. Praise God for his protection and those two caring people.
Yes, I really do think acknowledging it is important, otherwise as you say, it just comes back! When I acknowledge it, it’s easier to give it over to God!
Betsy, I’m thanking God with you that your daughter walked away and is safe and that God sent protection and provision. I totally understand your thoughts also and struggle to choose grace over bitterness. It’s hard to watch injustice, especially when it affects our kids. Isn’t it amazing how cunning the enemy is to try and twist God’s good grace? I pray you have a very sweet Mother’s Day and you enjoy every minute with your daughter!
Yes, Crystal. I feel like I still can’t get over how blessed we were by God’s protection. I hope you have a good Mother’s Day yourself! Thanks for being here today.
Just wanted you to know that I’m enjoying your blog, Betsy. Thank you for the encouragement and wisdom you provide for us moms who still struggle even though we wish we had it all together at this season of life. Bless you!
Thanks so much, Jamie Jo! I haven’t heard from you in so long. This makes my evening to see you here. Blessings to you too!
I’m glad she’s okay . And yes forgiveness is the key to happiness. God is always with us especially when our faith is tested.
Thanks for chiming in here, Anna. I appreciate your encouragement.