Last week I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very blessed day (apologies to Judith Viorst and Alexander). I realize that those terms are contradictory, but they accurately describe the occurrences.

After work, I went home. I needed a nap; my head hurt, but I planned to go to a prayer meeting that night – I had committed to this. No time for a nap, I ate some dinner, got my Bible and headed out on a 45-minute drive to where I was meeting the other people in my group. I left a little early to allow time for emergencies. Emergencies happened.

I had been carrying some items around in my back seat that I intended to donate. They had been riding with me for over a month. I was running early, so I turned in at the Thrift Shop to drop the items off. It was closed.

And that is when things went south.

I turned my car to drive across the parking lot and almost immediately ran over a concrete bar that marked a parking space. I really ran over it. Loud scraping and bumping ended up with my car stuck. STUCK! I realize that some of you will think, “how foolish”, and I would agree. Still, it happened.

Who to call? My husband would not be back in town until late. Other family members were working, and honestly, I just hated to call anyone – call it pride.  I called the police. Thank God for our police officers!

The dispatcher was extremely nice, but she couldn’t guarantee what time someone could be there. She would do her best (and she did). I called AAA. After many minutes waiting on the phone, they told the earliest they could get someone there would be over two hours later. That meant I would be sitting stuck in an empty parking lot after dark. Not my best choice.

While I was still on the phone with AAA, the two cars with Community Care officers from the police force drove up. They looked over the situation, talked to me about the problems with AAA, and began to work to help. With calm heads, some strong hands, and polite guidance for me, they maneuvered the car off the concrete log and set me on my way.

By that time, I was too shaken to continue the trip to prayer meeting, so I turned and drove home.

That was the terrible, horrible, no good part of the day, but it was also a part of the blessing.

Blessing – I could not have asked for nicer officers to help. They went above and beyond, and even though what I did was stupid they never made me feel that way.

Blessing – The officers arrived quickly, meaning that no more serious calls required their service. I did not have to sit in my car in an isolated parking lot after dark.

Blessing – My car was not damaged. That is amazing based on the sounds and thumps that occurred when I hit that concrete log.

Blessing – While I missed the prayer meeting, I went home to my grandchildren and was able to rock a baby while she took her bottle. Talk about calming.

Blessing – I had the car checked out the next morning, and there really was no damage! The mechanic said he could see a scratch on the underside, but that was all. They did not even charge me for the inspection.

Blessing – I called the thrift store the next morning to let them know I would pay for the damage to the parking marker. They were so gracious about the situation. Again, no condemnation. They thanked me for calling, and I think I made a new friend.

I don’t want to repeat that afternoon, but I am thankful for God’s presence and help through it all. I thanked God all the way home, and I am still thanking Him. Not all accidents end so positively, but that day gave me one more proof that He is able to turn a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad situation into an avenue of blessing.

He is good that way.

I Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Romans 8:²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Photo – The End of a Good Day, Beth Mims