I Almost Died A Few Weeks Ago, or so I had myself convinced! It happened like this:
Pastor was at the Youth Extravaganza with our church teens and I took the opportunity to get a few projects completed. As the afternoon wore on, I thought it would be a good idea to get my car washed.
Having grown up in the mid-west, I really appreciate a good thunderstorm but, since I live in California I don’t get to enjoy one very often. To satisfy my longing I take my car through the car wash. As I proceed through the different cycles— wash, rinse and dry—I usually close my eyes and imagine that I am in the middle of a good thunderstorm. Living in California, you “have to do what you have to do,” right?
On this particular Friday I happened to be the third car in line. There is never a line and Ithought that these people should have known I was coming and they should have taken care of their vehicles a few hours ago! Finally, it was my turn. I pulled my car forward and closed my eyes for my “imaginary thunderstorm.” Within seconds, I began to smell an incredibly gassy odor. I sat through the wash cycle but the smell was nearly unbearable, in fact, I had to cover my nose and mouth and actually began to feel a little light-headed. By the time I hit the drying cycle, all I could think was that, “I need to get out of this car wash and I need to get out NOW!” As I pulled out I opened all the windows and headed towards home not feeling very well and still puzzled by the strange odor.
After taking my car through this car wash I always come home and dry off my car and vacuum it out. (My husband has taught me well.) As I was drying off my car I noticed that my towel was covered with black “stuff.” It didn’t take me long to figure out that this was the exhaust from my car and the odor was actually carbon monoxide! I took several deep breaths to clear my lungs and was certain that if I had stayed in that car wash any longer I would have died!
I called my husband to let him know what happened and to let him know how thankful HE could be that I was still alive. I called my sister and both of my daughters to tell them they should never go to this car wash. However, with the suggestion from her mom that the grandkids would probably enjoy the “rain,” Tabitha was already in line waiting her turn for the car wash. She was about to put her money into the machine and pull forward when she said, “Mom, didn’t you read the directions? It says that you are supposed to turn your car OFF after you enter!” What? I had never noticed that sign before! In fact, I had never read the directions; as it seemed self-explanatory. After all, how hard could it be? I realized at that moment that I could have saved myself a TON of extra work and the scary thought of dying IF I had just read the directions.
Later that evening, as I reflected back over the events of the day, I couldn’t help but be reminded that we as Christians are often just as careless and negligent when it comes to reading and obeying God’s instructions given to us in the Bible. Let me ask you:
Have you been reading the Bible on a daily basis and applying its truths to your life?
It will help you be a better wife, mother, grandmother, church member, daughter, sister, neighbor, friend and every other title God has given you. May God help you and bless you as you spend time reading the directions.
Try doing the following:
- Pray before you read and ask God to open your heart to what you are about to read.
- Read when you are most alert. If 5:00 am is not a good time for you then choose a time that works well for you.
- Have a notebook and pen so you can underline scriptures that speak to your heart and convict you. Use your notebook to write down a truth or a thought that you will want to carry with you for the day.
- Have a dictionary or a Bible commentary so you can look up words or verses you don’t understand.
- Use 3 x 5 cards to write out verses you are memorizing for the week.
- Have a Bible reading schedule. I like to read a portion from the Old and New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. You might want to divide this up into two different times of the day. (Old Testament and Psalms in the morning and New Testament and Proverbs in the evening).
- Share what God spoke to you about with someone else. You will be an encouragement to them.
- If you miss a day, don’t quit! Start again tomorrow.
May God bless you as you seek to read His word, our book of directions, everyday.
Mrs. Trieber
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