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The woman I will call Bethanne is admired by many. She was critically injured when her car was hit head-on by a drunk driver. Bethanne needs to walk with a cane, but she will live and she thanks God daily.
After four months of recuperation, her husband Dan told her across the breakfast table, "I didn't count on this fouling up our lives. I want a divorce. I want to start over."
She felt as though someone had shot her. "Dan, I have to use a cane for the rest of my life. You don't," she managed to say.
"I know. But we didn't count on this. I can't face it. Every day will be a reminder of your accident, Bethanne. I want out."
Bethanne felt devastated and abandoned. Her sons, 19 and 21, were away at college. The once busy household fell into silence.
Depression hit Bethanne hard. But she had a special friend. "Thank You, Lord, for being with me," she prayed. "You promised in Hebrews 13:5 that You would never leave or forsake me. I'm standing on your Word now."
Friends, family and neighbours flocked to Bethanne's assistance. Some tended the lawn. Others did the household maintenance. Still others took her shopping until she was able to drive again. Others went to church with her. Then there were those who visited or phoned to let her know she was loved. Her sons visit regularly, and her parents, sisters and brother are also supportive. "Dan shut the door of our marriage," Bethanne says, "but God's love opened another."
The auto insurance company awarded her enough money to invest. The monthly interest payment helps pay the bills. "Before I invested the funds, I tithed to my church. No amount of money could buy what God has done and is still doing for me."
Bethanne is taking a correspondence course to qualify her to work at home at her computer. She reads for pleasure, listens to music and plays the piano. New recipes intrigue her as she cooks and bakes.
Mornings, she arises to spend quiet time with God, finding strength for the day in reading the Bible. When others give her a pitying look, Bethanne tells them not to be concerned because God is taking care of her: "I can't praise Him enough for His goodness and mercy."
Audrey Carli is a freelance writer from Stambaugh, Mich.
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