Exactly two weeks ago, we were spring cleaning my aunts house. We were working really hard, and decided to take a 15 minute break. It was a nice day so, my younger sister, younger cousin, older cousin, and I went out for a four wheeler ride. The younger two were on Auntie and Uncles four wheeler, and us older two were on our four wheeler (pictured above with Rosie!)
Sometimes we play this game (basically hide and seek on the four wheelers) where two of us hide anywhere on our property and the other two try to find them using the four wheeler tracks. The younger two, who we call the “babies” even though they aren’t babies anymore, had already gone. So it was me and Julia's turn to "hide."
We figured our hiding spot would be up in the woods, so I headed that way. I was driving. We crossed our bridge and Julia suggested we drive down in the creek bed. We thought the babies would just drive by if we were hidden down in the creek. We saw a spot that we thought we could get down into the creek, it was about a foot drop, then a small sand landing lowering into the water.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked as I was driving closer towards the creek.
There was a small tree in the way, so I couldn’t hit it strait. I had to hit it at an angle. *RED FLAG* Never, I repeat, NEVER do this! I totally knew better and should have listened to my gut.
The right front tire went down the foot drop off first. I was going super slow. I heard Julia say, “We might tip it.” Then it was too late.
By this time, we were both thinking this wasn’t a great idea, but we couldn’t do anything to stop it from happening. We were helpless as it rolled. We couldn't bale to the left, because it was up hill and gravity was against us, so we ended up falling/jumping to our right and landing face down in the creek. The water was about a foot high. The four wheeler rolled a full circle and landed on top of us, upright.
My face was under the water, and I couldn't breathe!
It was the scariest, most awful feeling to be trapped and not able to breathe. I immediately tilted my head up sideways and out of the water. My thoughts scrambled and I realized that I was, in fact, still alive and finally able to breathe! I saw that I was under the four wheeler, right behind the two front tires. I quickly backed my way our from under it, and my thoughts went right to Julia. She had been beside me when I was underneath. I couldn’t hear her, she wasn’t making a sound. I thought she was drowning or pinned under the back tire. Had I just killed my cousin? Those were my thoughts at the moment.
I spun into action! I tried, LIKE REALLY TRIED, to lift the four wheeler off of her, breaking part of the plastic side. Note: this four wheeler is 700+ pounds! Other than braking the plastic, I wasn’t budging it. I remembered hearing stories of grandmas lifting lawnmowers off of their grandchildren. I had adrenaline, why couldn't I lift it??
“I can breathe!” Julia had army crawled up far enough so that she could bring her head above the water. So thankful she was alive, I hurried around to the other side where her head was and she told me to turn off the four wheeler. Believe it of not, it actually was still running. Her leg was twisted back and pressing against the hot part. I quickly shut it of, despite my violently shaking hands. I then ran around to where her leg was and pulled up the broken plastic to untwist her leg. Then she was able to crawl out the rest of the way. This all took place in about 2 or 3 minutes, but to us it felt like hours.
Oh my goodness! We couldn't believe what had just happened! We were shaking so bad we could barely stand so we stood there hugging. Thing was, we were in shock and couldn't stop laughing. Not a funny laugh, but a I-can’t-believe-this-happened laugh. We found my phone buried in the sand, under the water. I figured it probably wouldn't work after being in the water. But I was able to make the call to the babies. We told them to pick us up at the creek. They took us, all sopping wet and sandy, back to the house where we told the moms what had happened.
Both of our elbows were skinned up from landing in the sandy creek bed. Julia's elbows were worse because she had army crawled. Her head also got bumped pretty good. Both of our legs had bruises but mine was definitely more impressive.
I’m just so thankful that we didn't get hurt worse. The “what ifs” and “could haves” and “should haves” are endless. The raw and scary truth is that we could have easily been killed. It was a miracle that we made it out with only minor cuts and bruises.
Our guardian angels were working overtime. God definitely was looking out for us. He saved us! Julia told me that, while it was happening, she was praying. Talk about the power of prayer.
The way the four wheeler landed on top of us was a miracle. We were both side by side in between the tires. How did the tires not land on us? Because of God.
The way the four wheeler landed upright on top of us. How did it not just roll over and not make a complete turn like it did? Because of God.
The way we both fit underneath. Inches either way and it would have been bad. How did that happen? Because of God.
The way it ended up that us two older girls got the four wheeler with the most clearance underneath. If we would have been riding the other four wheeler, we wouldn't have fit underneath. Was it by chance? No, but because of God.
The way this whole accident happened, with both of us making it out alive, was because of God!
He loves us so much and watches out for us. He is the One who kept us safe, because He cares.
The rest of the day, I was in a daze and looked at life differently. I was so thankful for the big AND the little things. My family, my animals, even chores. I realized that things I thought were a big deal, weren't so bad, I was just thankful to be alive. Sometimes seemingly small things, no matter how essential, get taken for granted. Like breathing. I didn’t normally think of breathing, it is just something I do. But now, after having it taken away from me for about two seconds, I’m like, “I CAN BREATHE!” God is good.
I am so thankful to be given life. Life is a gift. A cherished gift that we shouldn’t take for granted. This is real, this is serious. I want to live this gift fully. I want to have true joy, because I get to live this life. I want to remember everyday that I am blessed. I want to be thankful for the little things.
Everyday is a gift, take a deep breath and thank Him.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for watching out for us. You promise to never leave us or forsake us. Thank you for keeping Your promise. Thank you for giving us this gift of life. Help us live fully and follow Jesus’ example. Please lead us and guide us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalms 91:11,12
“For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
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Have you ever been in a situation where things could have ended badly, but didn’t? Is there a time in your life where you knew that God saved you? What are some ways that we can live more fully? Lets talk in the comments!
