Letter from Australia 113 – A Car Miracle
Dear brothers and sisters,
I can hardly believe that it has been so long since my last letter! So much has happened and yet it seems like just yesterday! My theory that life would slow down as we got older seems to not be working! I wonder if you believe in miracles – in the reality of divine intervention? Please note that I am not claiming that every act is a miracle – even less that being a Christian means that you are prevented from suffering harm. We may actually suffer more – but the Christian knows that our times are in the hands of the good God. I also know that there have been at least three times in my life where I believe that there has been miraculous intervention. I am also aware that there is some aspect of spiritual warfare involved in all of these. Each of these events occurred in the midst of considerable spiritual turmoil and attack.
22 years ago, we almost lost our two children, Andrew and Becky. We believe that they experienced a miraculous intervention – You can read about it here. https://theweeflea.com/2014/02/28/miracle-at-twin-lakes/
11 years ago, I experienced my own miracle (at least that is what my surgeon called it! And I agree) https://theweeflea.com/2015/01/01/the-shelter-of-the-most-high-new-year-old-hope-a-personal-testimony/
Then this past week it was Annabel’s turn. I’ll tell you about it below, but again I have to say that the Lord’s angels were watching over her! And me! You may not agree and might prefer to call it ‘extreme divine providence’
2000, 2011, 2022 – note the pattern. Not that I’m superstitious but I suggest you stay away from us in 2033 – if we are still spared!
So, what happened last Friday? Annabel was driving back from shopping when she was hit by a cement truck, who just veered into her passenger side. She was badly shaken, but not hurt – although I would not underplay the trauma of being in an accident like this. Our car is probably a right off as I doubt it would be worth the value of the car to repair it. One of the things to be thankful for is our old 2005 BMW. We really don’t like it – but it probably saved her life…it is so rock solid. Events like this remind us of the fragility of life.
I was reading in Thomas Manton that for every reason we have to complain, we have a thousand to be thankful. That does not mean that there are no problems or frustrations. Indeed, as I write this – five days after the event there continues to be a bizzare drama with the car. Nothing is straightforward.
The police refused to attend the incident because astonishingly in NSW, they do not attend road traffic accidents unless the road is blocked, an ambulance is called, or a drink driver is involved (when I pointed out to the policeman on the phone that it was difficult to establish that if they didn’t attend – he was not impressed with my logic!). There was a lovely local constable who has been really helpful – however his boss was somewhat less so. The boss informed me that the police did not deal with road traffic accidents and that I should pass it on to my insurance company. My insurance company told me that the police did not know what they were talking about, and the police told me that the insurance company did not know what they were talking about. And so, the never-ending circle of the powerless continues.
As a result, we have had extreme difficulty in getting the insurance details of the lorry driver’s company and, according to the police,
it is not essential for the company to provide them, or for the police to obtain them. The company could have refused to give them to us – and apart from an expensive civil suit, there was apparently nothing we could do! Apparently, when a cement truck crashes into your wife’s car and almost kills her, this is no one’s business and no one’s responsibility. I tend to suspect that if there are ‘crimes’ which are more politically ‘aware’ (i.e., if I misgendered someone!) there might be a different reaction! This is what happens when justice is turned into a lottery!
I am thankful to have made some progress today with the insurance company. Pray on. Meanwhile we are carless – which is not too great a hardship in Sydney – although somewhat inconvenient. But I don’t really care about the car…I’m just thankful for Annabel being protected….a car is nothing in comparison. This event and some personal health issues have certainly caused us to reflect both on the fragility of life and the sovereignty and mercy of God. I posted this short video a few weeks ago on my Instagram and cannot believe how many people have watched and liked it! Why? To me it is a reminder of how fragile and delicately balanced nature is.
But he has the whole world in his hand. I have been reflecting a lot on Isaiah 40 – which contrasts the temporary nature and fragility of this world. The people are as grass – and all their faithfulness like the flowers of the field. The grass withers, and the flowers fall – but the word of the Lord endures forever. It’s even sturdier than a BMW!
There was a lot more I wanted to write about – but perhaps I will leave that for a week or so. We are heading for a bit of rest and recuperation up in Cairns. See you in a week – God willing (how I mean that phrase!) …
Yours in Christ
David
A key part of my work at the moment is developing the ASK website. https://ask.org.au/
Please have a look at it – become a member if you want – and let us know what you think. Please remember that this is just a beginning…. much more to follow. We are adding to it almost every day….
*right off*…write off
Happy to hear Annabel is safe and well after her encounter with a cement truck. Hoping to manage to hold the company to account via the insurance. Praying on.
Hi David, so glad that the Lord protected Annabel. The police are only focusing on giving out speeding tickets for rekless people driving at 62KPH in a 60 zone, or for gender non-political talk.
We’re often told by the sceptics that miracles don’t happen and God never ‘intervenes’. But stories like this – and many others, particularly from the mission field – suggest to us that they do and He does. For somebody like me who has rarely ‘stuck his neck out’ for Christ, miracles don’t happen and, if we’re honest, are not needed and shouldn’t be expected. But for those people who ‘lay their lives on the line’ for Jesus I believe God makes a special exception and intervenes in a very real, physical and protective way, and always according to His will.
A miracle indeed . Remembering you ,your family and Calling in Oz .
I’m so glad that Annabel is okay and I’m sorry about your car. It seems the police are shirking responsibilities in favor of chasing down hardened criminals, if they are doing that. I will pray for the issue to be resolved. The truck driver should definitely have his company pay for the damage.
Extreme Divine Intervention indeed.., and praise God that the car is solid (BM’s always are…) and not a flimsy & v small vehicle..!
Totally empathise & resonate in dealing with various ‘authorities’ which are designed to frustrate, and do not deal in any common sense in any way, shape or form, as a generalisation.
Can you kindly add ‘The Wee Flea ‘ daily podcast to our emails again, as well as the ASK site..?
Enjoy your well earned R and R in Cairns with your good lady Annabel, and enjoy the sense of perspective and proportion that a holiday break brings…
Hi Gordon – there isn’t a wee flea daily podcast. If you mean the Bible studies – Coffee and Revelation – you can subscribe on YouTube….will put them up here every week – but not daily…
“Yet I am here , a chosen sample ,
To shew Thy grace is great and ample : ”
Holy Willie’s Prayer .
Glad your wife was not hurt but really I do not understand why you don’t blame God for placing that truck on the scene in the first place.
God receives all the credit but never any blame in the Christian version of logic.
I can see that you do not understand. That’s because you don’t know God, you don’t grasp the bible – and you have too high a view of your own abilities to understand and mock….will write an article to explain what the Christian view of providence is…
David, sorry to hear about Annabel’s (and your) trauma and the state of your car. But you shouldn’t be too hard on the police. It would be impossible for them to attend every traffic accident. And the usual practice is that the drivers in an accident exchange their licence and insurance details. File it away as part of your Oz experience.
No one is suggesting that the police attend every traffic accident – but dangerous driving from a concrete mixer which almost kills someone and wrecks a car is not a fendor bender. IN NSW you don’t have to provide your insurance details. I will file it away as part of my Oz experience – not just the injustice of the law – but the callous and heartless responses of some!
Are there no driving, crimes in NSW, unless they involve bodily injury? Crimes such as dangerous; reckless; careless; driving without due care and attention; crimes which added to previous driving convictions, may be totted-up and thereby result in in a driving disqualification, for the protection of other road users???
Given that the police don’t attend road accidents, except for the three circumstances mentioned, then yes there will not be – unless there are cameras..
The evidence speaks for itself, together with personal testimony.
There is an expression, maximum in civil law, Res ipsa loquiter which it could be argued, here, is a starting point for police investigation added to which, corroborated by witness testimony, including drivers.
Distinctly shabby, even at its lowest level. A likely a breach of the Police Authority’s statutory duties.
And a prosecution has a knock on effect on civil and insurance claims in apportioning plaintiff and defendant, contributory negligence, if any!
To repeat, it is not merely a civil law, matter claim. Fundamentally, it focusses on the nature and purposes of criminal law.
‘unless there are cameras’ — which there are. And road patrols.
Not where my wifes accident happened. Nor in many other places.
And the OZ experience of your comments. Bruce, are such a blessing , as they waft past any sense of justice, or espouse the ideology of justice usurped by pragmatism, indifference and famed Ozzy plain speaking. What is wrong with you, man?
Deeper than that: why does justice matter at all? At the individual level and at the macro level. Who is its source? Does He have a sense of pragmatic, studied indifference?
His justice is paramount and perfect, has prevailed in Jesus and will ultimately be executed.
The comments need to be filed away by David under F for forgiven.