Friday, March 4, 2011

When the adrenaline rush comes to an end... another crash!

It's starting to sink in. I very well could have died on Tuesday. If it weren't for God and His protection I could be dead right now, instead of sitting here snuggly under my soft and warm fleece blanket.

I have been on an adrenaline rush ever since the accident. I've been in survivor mode... it's what I do when faced with major events in my life, it's what I've always done and it's all I know how to do. I was amazingly calm after the wreck and since then have just been doing everything I need to do - going to the chiropractor, working, getting a rental car, car shopping, buying a new car, getting everything out of my truck, putting new plates on, sorting through all the stuff that was in my truck, going to my counseling appointment, washing the blanket and canvas grocery bags I had in my truck as there was glass everywhere. There are insurance papers I got in the mail today that I need to fill out, but just can't cope with it tonight. I feel like I haven't had time to breathe since Tuesday morning.

I've been doing a lot of thinking since the accident. I realize that life is fragile and that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. God has all of our days numbered and when our time on earth is done, He will take us home. He could have taken me over 20 years ago when I had major surgery, He could have taken me when I rolled my truck, He could take me tonight in my sleep... when it is MY time, I will go home to be with the Lord. But in the meantime He has me on this earth for a purpose. He still has work for me to do.

I was in such a hurry on Tuesday... thinking about getting to the dentist and not paying attention to the moment - which is why I rolled my truck. I really need to live in the moment and take each moment that God gives me and look for the opportunities He has for me in that moment. The name of this blog is Running the Race to the Finish... in a race, if all I think about is the finish line and don't pay attention to every step I take, I will fall and never make it to the finish. And, it's not just about running races... it's about living life with the goal of finishing well. Part of finishing well is living in the moment and seeing what God has for me to do in that moment. As long as God gives me breath, I want to serve Him with all I do.

For tonight... I need to take care of me. This probably means having a good cry. It will also mean having some time to just talk to God and thank Him for all He's blessed me with. And, lastly it will also mean just taking some time to relax and breathe.

Thanks for sharing in my journey,

Sherri

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

He's Not Finished With Me Yet!



Well, my week of getting back to the gym started out great. Got my 2 miles in yesterday, ran 1/4 of a mile and was looking forward to getting back at it today. Problem is, I wasn't planning on rolling my truck and being without a vehicle.

Plans have a way of changing. My plans aren't always the same as God's plans. I was amazingly calm after the accident and can hardly believe the things I did and said in the middle of a traumatic car wreck. But, let me back up. I left work about 9 a.m. to go to a Dentist appointment. I took the gravel to avoid a train and went to turn right and took the corner a little too fast and caught the lip of the ditch with my truck. I thought I might be able to drive in and get back out, but it was a very deep ditch and the way I hit I went over pretty hard and pretty quick. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced and I thank GOD I am alive and not injured. I quickly entered survivor mode and first thing I did was call my boss, Mark, to have him call 911. I knew I wasn't thinking clear enough to tell them exactly where I was. So, while he did that I called the dentist to let them know I wasn't going to be there. I find that pretty humorous now. I had to be responsible and tell them we would need to reschedule the appointment. I'm made both these calls while sitting calmly on the roof of my truck (which was the floor for the time being! ;-) I then called my Pastor. He didn't answer, so I tried opening a door but it wouldn't open. Then my pastor called me back. I talked to him, asked for prayer, assured him I was OK.

The Sheriff then arrived and it dawned on me to unroll the window and crawl out. So, after I convinced the Sheriff I was OK, I crawled out and walked back up to the side of the road. After answering questions for the Sheriff I realized I needed pictures to post to facebook! :-) What quicker way to let all my friends know quickly?!?!

After I got checked by the paramedics and was cleared to leave, my supervisor, who came out to check on me, gave me a ride back to work. I worked the rest of the day feeling fine... a little achy, few bruises that were sore, but overall ok. Almost 12 hours after the accident later - now - I am a little more sore, a little light headed, a little stiff. But I feel pretty amazing considering everything I went through today!

I'm sure more blogs will come from this experience, it has been a defining life moment and I look forward to seeing how God will use this to teach me and to bring Him Glory and Honor. I DO give Him all the Glory for the way He got me through this experience.

One thing I was thinking is from a Brandon Heath song. The link is here: It really speaks to me because there have been times I "Still wonder why I'm here; Still wrestling with my fears. But Oh! He's up to something. And the farther on I go I've seen enough to know that I'm not here for nothing, He's up to something. There's hope for me yet, because God won't forget all the plans He's made for me, I'll have to wait and see. He's not finished with me yet." http
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJwlmb4V-0Y

Sunday, February 27, 2011

It's a new week!

Well, my grand plans for getting back to the gym last week were an epic fail. I've had stress headaches every day for over a week now and usually feel the worst after work so getting to the gym has been hard. But, I am determined to go this week no matter how I feel.

I've been amazed this week at how even though I don't think I'm stressed, my body has been showing signs of stress. I've been doing well emotionally, haven't been worried about stuff, been praying and trusting God, yet I've had these awful stress headaches. I know part of it has probably been that I haven't been eating as well as I should and I haven't been exercising. I can't believe it's been 4 weeks since I've worked out. UGH! But, I will get back on track... I'm not giving up. Remember, I'm not stubborn... I'm determined!