THE HIGHWAY ANGEL

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

The Scripture, by way of the wisest man who ever lived, tells us that life is futile and vanity. That is true. But when your life is on the line and you are faced with possible sudden destruction, human survival is of the utmost importance.

“Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? (Ecc 1:2-3)

This life of ours is frazzled, at its very best, as we go through this troublesome world in which we survive. It’s like the gospel song relates. “One day at a time, sweet Jesus.”

Oftentimes, our precious heavenly Father God will lovingly grab our attention and turn our eyes from possible rebellion to obedience. Through discipline our eyes are opened more clearly to God’s perspective on our lives.

Sometimes we are caught up as a victim of circumstance in an unforeseen tragic near-death experience and only be saved by our heavenly Father’s grab.

Here in this non-fiction blog, we have a senior work traveler, who by a Providence-directed miracle, had a potentially fatal vehicle occurrence turned into a divine blessing. How did his life get better under the knee of this near fatal accident? Or did it get worse.

In either case, there is such a thing as a guardian angel.

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing "(Hebrews 13:2)

It happened on a lonely highway, in the middle of nowhere on a dreary, rainy day, October 4, 2011. He was traveling up US Highway 45 just south of Jackson, Tennessee, en route to visit a client, when his life was instantly and forever changed.

Three impatient teens attempted to cross the highway in front of his vehicle. Their vehicle T-boned his driver side, pinning him inside a mass of twisted wreckage. The next thing he remembered, he was slumped behind a blood-soaked air bag, inside a pile of twisted metal. Glass lay everything about him. He instantly began uttering loudly, over and over, “Lord, get me back to (my wife)! Get me back to (my wife)!” God graciously did, as you will see later.

Yes, this man learned a very personal spiritual lesson that dreadful day. And to this day, his only knowledge of the crash is what he read from the police report.

Next came the response team, cutting him from the twisted metal mess. He was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. They wanted to airlift him but couldn’t because of the weather conditions.

He was temporarily treated there in Tennessee, his head wound sewed up, and his crushed left arm and leg bound up tight, in preparation for transport. His family was waiting for an available bed at Birmingham’s UAB hospital.

After two days, he was transported back to Birmingham by ambulance, where he was treated for the multiple injuries in his crushed body. A metal plate was put in his left arm and a fixed restrictor rod attached to his left leg, with six pins screwed directly into the bone. Pins were also put in the left knee.

Unexpectedly, he had to go back into surgery for another arm plate, as he lost his balance when the physical therapist attempted to have him stand and balance on his good leg. This premature move caused him to instinctively catch his fall with his injured arm, as he fell back onto the hospital bed, breaking his arm a second time. The next day, the therapist visited him, saying he could not sleep all night, thinking about the unfortunate accident.

UAB hospital is a teaching hospital. Each morning the resident physician would make his rounds, with his new recruit accomplices, each with clip board in hand. They all would ask questions and make noted comments at the resident’s direction. They all seemed to have the feeling he would not be around long.

After his two-month hospitalization with therapy, he was released to go home and continue home therapy. He came home to a big “Welcome Home” sign draped over the front porch entrance. This was really a moral uplift to him.

He was given a temporary hospital bed, and wheelchair. The only way he could transfer back and forth, was by a sliding board. The Worker's Comp built him a temporary ramp on the front of his house.

He continued home physical therapy on his injured arm and leg for about two months. During that time, the therapist rigged a rope on the door facing, so that he could pull up and balance on his one good leg.

After transferring from the wheelchair to a walker, he continued outpatient therapy for about two months. Then he transferred to using a cane. After being put through an extensive computerized Worker's Comp testing, he was released to return to limited work, with very restricted duty allowed by his employer. This came about because of a loyal, loving friend of a boss.

His faithful wife traveled with him on the job for support. At first, she had to put gasoline in the vehicle. Then, with her ongoing assistance, the work travel slowly became more manageable, still adhering to the Worker's Comp physical’s mandates.

He continued restricted work duty for about six years, but finally had to give it up for retirement. Worker's Comp was bound by law to meet his lifelong medical needs. Now, he is getting around fairly well, with the use of a cane. He has regular medical checkups, including knee gel and knee pain relief injections. He recently was fitted for surgical knee braces to help in his walking. He is also allowed two pairs of shoes per year, with inside fitted build-ups, as his left injured leg is now an inch shorter than his right. He now has virtually no feeling in his left leg.

Bottom line, through it all, he survived this dreadful ordeal only by the mercy and grace of a loving God. You see, with God, all things are possible.

And, he has never forgotten that day in time. Nor, has he forgotten his church pastors famous "Welcome Home" sermon title, "The Highway Angel."

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed, and maybe learned a bit from this different kind of blog musing. So then, why write such a blog? It’s simple, because I felt led to do so. Who do you think is this most unfortunate traveler? Well, he be me.

Being older than dirt, and twice as gritty, as I often quote, I continue to enjoy my retirement in today’s fast lane. I may even be old enough to qualify to have my Bible autographed.

My main aim in life is to love God, love one’s family, love one's country, in that order. I’m proud to be a follower of the Old-Time religion gospel and a true loyal believer in The Old Rugged Cross concept. I am also a true American patriot.

I now keep occupied, for the most part, with my freelance writing. And oh yes, I fictionally dream a bit, as you have probably seen from reading my blogs. I trust you will click on the below website and read a bit.

By for now, till we meet again, maybe in the funny papers, or maybe in the sky. May God Bless.