Bike Accident

I was a social work major in college and did my senior internship at the Salvation Army homeless shelter.  One spring day as I was riding my bike to the shelter and turning through the intersection just before arriving, I found myself splat on the street in the middle of the busy intersection.  I don't know what caused the accident, but my left elbow and jaw were fractured.  Staff at the Salvation Army saw the accident, as well as onlookers.  An ambulance was called, and I was taken to a local hospital.  (I had plans to visit a good friend in the hospital that day, so I requested I be taken to that same hospital.  My friend was surprised when I called her from the hospital later that day and told her now I was in the hospital too!  Then instead of me going to visit her, she came to visit me!)

I remember being in the hospital and looking in the mirror with a mangled face and thinking I would look that way for the rest of my life.  God helped me respond by remembering that He is my greatest treasure,  I'll get to be with Him forever, and I am His beloved daughter, no matter the circumstances.  He gave me joy despite the pain.  I had surgery for both my fractured elbow and jaw.  My jaw had to be wired shut for six weeks, and I was only supposed to drink liquids.  (I did end up putting lots of foods in the blender.)  I was in the hospital for several days after the accident and on painkillers.  My social work supervisor came to visit me in the hospital.  I heard later that she told the class that I seemed in great spirits, and that she thought it was the drugs.  But I knew that my joy came from the Lord, who can give joy no matter the circumstances.