A Christmas Miracle.
- Christine DiGiacomo
- 4 hours ago
- 4 min read
Merry Christmas, Friends!
This morning, being the 9th day of the month, I looked to Psalm 9 to see if there were words I could pray ... and not surprisingly, look at verse one: I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. Why, yes!
How apt is the Word of God.
You see, today marks the five-year anniversary of a very strange event in my life. Formative in my life and faith, I must tell of the marvelous things God has done! But my story also fits with our discussion of Advent peace.
It was about 5.15 in the afternoon on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, as I pulled into my Southern California garage. Gathering my belongings, I got out of my SUV, but the car started moving, actually rolling backward... what in the world was happening??
Somehow the car had slipped into Reverse, so it was not just rolling, it was in gear with the driver's door open. Within nano seconds, the door jammed against the garage doorframe--and I was caught between the door and car, unable to get free. Because the car was in gear, the powerful transmission kept working to free itself, and eventually did, breaking the door hinges, buckling the left front quarter panel. Suddenly the car lurched, then it
knocked me down,
pulled me down the driveway
and ran over me. [yucky picture below]
Yes, it happened quickly, but I relived over and over for days--actually, mostly nights. The vehicle ran over my right buttock, lower middle back, left foot, leg and arm, not stopping until it 'totaled' the small car at the curb across the street.Â
As I was being dragged down the driveway, I had enough time to think
"I'm about to get run over - I might die - Okay, Lord." Bam.
I knew God had me--even if I was to see him face-to-face right then.Â
Though my body involuntarily went into shock and I was shaking from head to toe, I was breathing out 'thank you, Lord; O God, thank you'.
I remember so vividly my left cheek on the cold concrete sidewalk that day as I was all alone, but please hear me-- I was at peace because I have made peace with God. I know who I am and whose I am. I know that God has me in the palm of his hand and he will never leave me. I believe that because I have found Himfaithful over the course of my life, and I have found the truths of scripturereliable.
I confidently know where I will spend eternity.
In this second week of Advent, with peace in mind, I am wondering about you--
->do you know God has you in his hand?
->do you fully trust him - with all of who you are?
->are you at peace?
->and if you were suddenly face to face with your mortality, would you have peace?
There is nothing in all of the world like the peace of God.
So what happened on that fateful afternoon? Within minutes, various emergency vehicles were on scene, and I was transported to the nearby hospital trauma ward. It was Covid time, so I had to be alone, and I just couldn't stop shaking! But unbelievably, I did not have a single broken bone. My left arm was lacerated from wrist to elbow, torn by a garage door bracket, my lower back badly injured, but I was alive! How is that possible when the heavy car sprung from the garage, knocking me down, dragging me to the sidewalk?
And once again I think of something David wrote while running for his life:
'He will cover you with his feathers and under his wings, you
will find refuge.'1Â The next line: 'his faithfulness willÂ
be your shield and your rampart.' Translation? God's faithfulness will be your protection. Though I was violently knocked to the ground, my head never hit the pavement, which defies any rational explanation. But then, who gets run over and talks about what is rational? Not me, that's for sure.Â
Getting run over has earned me the right to press in and ask you again:
->do you know that God has you in his hand?
->do you fully trust him - with all of who you are?
->are you at peace? There is nothing in all of the world like the peace of God.
And honestly, there is no reason that should keep you from walking in the truth of these three things--that God has you, that he can be trusted with all of who you are, and he alone is the source of peace--especially in this precious time of Advent as we prepare our hearts for the Savior's birth.Â
So allow me to say a prayer for us-Â
Prayer: Lord . . .God, Maker of Heaven and Earth: While we know in our minds that nothing is impossible with you, we do not often live like we believe it.  May we trust You and give all of ourselves over to who You are--surrendering control, placing our hand in Your hand, and walking in Your provision for us.Â
O God, I pray for my friends who are hurting right now--for those who are grieving this Christmas, may they look to you and find comfort and peace.
For those who need your healing touch and an awareness of Your very real presence, I boldly ask you to extend Your hand of healing.
For those who feel far from you, may they reach out for You, and may You be found by them.Â
In your perfect, powerful name "Jesus",
Amen.
Paul expressed my hope for you so well: And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.2
And this I know ... God Made A Way!
Daily amazed by the goodness of God,
Christine
Advent, week two: peace
1 - Psalm 91.4
2 - Colossians 3.15