“Because there is a plan; there are no coincidences.” These words were spoken by Elder Raymond S. Heyman to the many adults who filled a chapel on April 30th, 2016 for the Saturday night session of stake conference. I was one of those adults. I remember the moment I heard those words; it was as if Elder Heyman were speaking directly to me.
I had been experiencing an increasingly difficult couple of weeks, months, and years. My husband, who is not a member of the church and who does not believe there is a God, was simply not understanding, nor respecting, my desire for a Christ-centered home. I begged and pleaded through prayer for guidance to find a middle ground, for understanding, and for strength to keep pushing forward in a righteous direction. It was a miracle my husband had agreed to attend the adult session of stake conference on April 30th, 2016. As we drove home from conference I felt prompted to discuss Elder Heyman’s words. I bore my testimony to my husband. I testified there is a plan for each of us, even him. The following morning on the way to stake conference, my mom missed a familiar turn. After a U-turn we started to cross what appeared to be a clear highway. We were surprised to see an SUV headed straight for the front passenger’s side; where I was sitting. I can recall every sound, smell, and sight of the long seconds following the impact. Within seconds we had each safely climbed out of the driver’s side of the vehicle. As we walked away from the smoking SUV my thoughts raced with an emergency plan of action; “call 911, call my husband, call my home teacher”. I looked up to the intersection and could see my dear home teacher turning the corner. Directly behind him was a truck I quickly recognized; it was a good family friend. Now of course, there were probably 100 families driving to stake conference that morning. The odds were great we would see someone we knew. Coincidence? Both SUV’s were totaled. All airbags deployed. All passengers walked away from the accident. This was certainly not a typical accident. One of my daughters had been sitting directly behind when the SUV hit our side. Her door and window were untouched. Not a bend, ding, scrape or crack. I am confident there were guardian angels inside and outside the SUV protecting my daughter from harm. This is one miracle my family will never forget. For many weeks following the accident I struggled with symptoms of a severe concussion. It was exhausting and painful to speak, hear, see, read, memory, walk, concentrate or do anything requiring the effort of my brain. There is nothing to do when you have a concussion. Nothing. Many times I would be home alone, in a dark and quiet room doing nothing. I started to wonder "Why me? Why is this happening? What did I do?" I did not let these thoughts consume me for very long. I prayed. My brain could not concentrate and pray for too long, so I prayed often. Prayer was my lifeline. It was through prayer I was comforted on long days of solitude. It was through prayer I was provided immediate peace at times of confusion and worry (it is a terrifying feeling to not be able to remember where your children are). It was through prayer I would express my deepest gratitude for the many friends and families who loved, served, and blessed my family during this trial. I experienced many tender and sacred moments; each the direct result of prayer. In many ways my family had been prepared for the long journey to recovery after the car accident. Too many pieces have fit together like a puzzle…rather a plan. It was no coincidence my home teacher and family friend had left their homes at a precise time in order to arrive simultaneously just moments behind the car accident. If their families are anything like mine; Sunday mornings can be hectic. These two families managed to allow these men to leave exactly when the Lord needed them to. I am grateful for the events that must have taken place in their homes that morning. It was no coincidence that my visiting teacher had visited me regularly for over two years. She knew me. She knew my family and knew our needs. She was able to quickly arrange meals, play-dates, and rides to and from doctor appointments for weeks. I will never forget the comfort I felt as this sweet sister, who had became my friend over the years, held my hand and put her arm around me during an overwhelming doctor appointment. It was no coincidence that two months prior to the accident I was prompted to seek medical treatment from a new physician in our area. It was because of my confidence in this professional that I felt comfortable to trust and move forward with an advanced treatment plan for concussions. It was no coincidence that nine months prior to the accident I was prompted to move forward with the 12 month preparations for a medically necessary surgery my oldest daughter would need. This took great faith. The five hour surgery was offered only by a surgeon who was out of network with any insurance. Payment in full was required prior to surgery. Our family would never have the means to pay for the surgery. But I could not deny the direct prompting to prepare for the surgery. It was no coincidence that the insurance settlement from the accident would meet these needs. My journey to physical recovery has been long; full of pain, inconveniences, and sacrifices. But it has been accompanied by a personal journey which has been rewarding, joyful, and full of miracles. I believe the trials we face are for our benefit. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who loves me enough to provide me with challenging circumstances. I am grateful for trials and for the opportunity they offer me to become stronger spiritually and grow closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Like you, I am child of God. These miracles do not suggest I am His favorite. Miracles happen for each and every one of God’s children. The Lord’s tender mercies can be found in each of our daily lives. It is through this personal trial I have been able to recognize we have each been given a choice to seek and recognize these personal and individual blessings. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”1 What a blessing it is to have the Comforter and our Savior with us during our trials. He lives. He heals. He comforts. He strengthens. It is ironic; the event I consider to be one of the greatest and personal miracles in my life is referred to as an “accident”. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The truth is in Elder Heyman’s words heard the night before. “Because there is a plan, there are no coincidences.” To his words, I add my testimony: Because He lives, I believe in miracles, not accidents. ~ Shawna |
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