I Am Guessing Your Day Ended Better Than Mine (Update Below)

Tuesday January 8, 2008 ~ 35 Comments

1 2002 Ford Sport Trac, 125K miles, (probably) totaled, $7000
1 Blackberry cracked, $250
1 sore back and two sore legs, $2 in Motrin

Walking away from a rollover accident at 60 miles per hour to go home and see your wife and daughters.

Priceless.

Here is a photo of the vehicle on its side:

More tomorrow...

My favorite part of the evening (other than living): talking to the fighfighter who, at the end of the conversation, said he wanted to come to church on Sunday with his wife.

Romans 8:28 "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose."

Update 1:

Having never had an accident of this kind, some of the "best" moments included:

1. Crawling out of the sunroof of my truck because the airbag gas was choking me. (Nothing better than watching a fat man squeeze-- and, oh, I was motivated.)
2. Having the police officer suggest that, after walking away from the wreck with some bruises and a minor cut, I might consider getting a lottery ticket before the end of the day.

3. Getting a kind call from Thom Rainer that starts with, "I heard you broke the blackberry."

4. Hearing from my boss, Brad Waggoner, who suggested I not "text" when I drive.

5. My daughter kissing me on the arm (where I had the small cut) and saying, "That will make it better."

6. Calling back the guy who I was talking to when the crash happened. (And, yes, I was using my hands free set, for the record.) Doug told me that all he heard was my yelling that I was about to crash, several crashes, then a horn. He waited on the line for 30 more minutes not hearing anything and told me later that he though I was dead.

7. Finding an old picture of my daughter as I cleaned out the car... and it reminded me that, although I am ready to see Jesus, I am glad I have some more time with my daughters.

Accidents remind us of what is precious. This Sunday, at my church, I will preach on the biblical value of community. As part of that message, I will confess that I am not yet in much community-- being new to town-- but I will make an added effort to be.

Posted on January 8, 2008 at 9:47 PM ~ 35 Comments

Tagged with: accident, community, family

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35 Comments

By tony sheng on January 8, 2008 10:31 PM

holy smokes ed... i think i speak for many when i say that we are glad you are okay!

By Mark Kelly on January 8, 2008 10:34 PM

dang ... not your blackberry?!

seriously ... God is good

By Terry Delaney on January 8, 2008 10:40 PM

Brother, you are in our prayers. It is amazing how God will use all incidents to bring glory to His name! I hope you feel fine tomorrow.

God bless.

By stephen shields on January 8, 2008 10:40 PM

ed, thanks to our Lord that you are still alive.

By Lance Ford on January 8, 2008 11:01 PM

Thaaats why you didn't answer when I called tonight.

By Todd Littleton on January 8, 2008 11:02 PM

Seeing "Dad" walk through the door after such an accident - "Praise worthy."

By Patrick Gillen on January 8, 2008 11:12 PM

Wow Ed! Glad you're ok!

By Steve McCoy on January 8, 2008 11:59 PM

Glad to hear you are ok Ed. Praying for you.

By The Krow on January 9, 2008 4:02 AM

Man that sucks. But I'm glad to hear your ok. I'll keep you in my prayers.

By Timmy Brister on January 9, 2008 4:06 AM

Hoping you recover swiftly, and praying that you have the opportunity to minister to the firefighter and his family . . .

By travis johnson on January 9, 2008 4:15 AM

glad you're ok, ed!

By Kim Haynes on January 9, 2008 6:40 AM

Praise God for his Hand of protection. Thanks for the great scripture reminder.

By Mike McCoy on January 9, 2008 7:16 AM

Ed
My friend I am thankful we have such an awesome God who protects us from so many things. Glad you are OK. See you soon.

By Bob Turner on January 9, 2008 7:24 AM

Wow... not a great day. How scary! Glad you are OK though.

By Dwayne Ewers on January 9, 2008 7:48 AM

Glad to hear you are ok! How wonderful and marvelous is the Providence of God!!

By Todd Rhoades on January 9, 2008 8:30 AM

Glad to hear you're ok, Ed!

Todd

By joe troyer on January 9, 2008 8:44 AM

Never so good to be home I'm sure. Blessings.

By irreverend fox on January 9, 2008 9:02 AM

no, no, no...

joking about a near death experience a few hours later...priceless.

wow, I'm serious when I say thank God you're ok.

By David Wayne on January 9, 2008 9:04 AM

Wow Ed! Count me among the many who are glad to hear you are ok and are giving thanks to God for that.

By Ed Stetzer on January 9, 2008 9:25 AM

Thanks to all...

Today I took the day off work and have embraced the beauty of Motrin.

Today is a big research day, which is a bit of bad timing. Such is life.

Yes, Lance, you called moments after I had crashed. I was still stuck in the car, on its side, trying to push away the airbags to find the phone and answer you... but, well, I could not do it!

Mark, the BlackBerry is alive, but with a crack in the screen. Very sad, I know. And you are a funny guy.

Thanks to all... and, remember, always wear your seatbelt. If I had not, I would not have that big bruise in my shoulder, but I would also not be writing this.

By Ron Kidd on January 9, 2008 9:26 AM

Glad that you're okay Ed. Looking forward to this Sunday's message. Thanks for being a part of FBCH.

By Micah Fries on January 9, 2008 9:39 AM

Ed-

I'm more thankful that you are ok, and I'll have to admit that I find it at least a bit funny that you were standing around taking pictures afterwards.

We're praying for you.

By Ed Stetzer on January 9, 2008 9:53 AM

Micah,

I knew someone would comment on the picture. But, I am taking blogging seriously!

But, more seriously, a friend (and blog reader) took it and sent it to me... my cracked blackberry has no camera.

By Michael on January 9, 2008 10:05 AM

I may have passed your accident. Indian Lake BLVD? Glad you are well. Let us know if you need anything.

By Ed Stetzer on January 9, 2008 10:09 AM

Michael,

Indeed that was me. I think the road was closed for about 30 minutes to extract my car from the railing... hopefully you made it by when there was still one lane open!

By Joel on January 9, 2008 12:29 PM

Ed,

You know, you have lived in GA for several years, and now live in TN. You should know by now that you can't drive like a Yankee anymore. :)

I along with everyone else are very thankful you are well. Praying for a quick recovery.

By chris conley on January 9, 2008 12:42 PM

Ed... I am also thankful for God's protection & grace in your "upended situation". Hope recovery is smooth and short.

By debbie d. on January 9, 2008 2:51 PM

Good Doctor, No more driving 60mph in heavy rain! what the heck?! good to see you blogging...keep poppin' the Motrins!

By Larry on January 9, 2008 9:05 PM

It was a girly truck anyway. Glad you're OK.

By Tim Ferguson on January 11, 2008 8:12 PM

Glad your okay. Didn't know you were in Nashville.

By Rick White on January 12, 2008 11:11 PM

Ed
I am so sorry to read about your accident and give God praise for you well being.

Blessings,

Rick

By johnMark on January 13, 2008 2:36 PM

Ed,

Glad you're OK and praying for recovery.

I'm trying to remember if I saw this on the news. Not sure.

Blessings,

Mark

By Bob Perkinson on January 14, 2008 12:35 PM

Ed,
I am glad you are OK. It’s just another reminder that God is in control, even at 60 MPH in the rain.

By Nancy and Allan Legard on January 14, 2008 8:33 PM

We're VERY glad at FBC Hendersonville that you are "sore and no more" - you have blessed us SO much and have been instrumental in helping us heal with so great a loss as our pastor. We've grown to love you and your family - sorry about the truck and the blackberry though!! Please contact us if we can help you out - oh yeah, loved Ergun getting tased!!! I've dared Dave Paxton to do it!

By Jason G. on January 15, 2008 7:10 PM

Ed,

Jason here. From Philadelphia. If you need me to come be your chauffeur again, I'm looking for a full-time job :)

I know where we can get some good 7-11 soda-pop too!

Glad you are okay my friend.

Hope to see ya soon.

-Jason

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