My name is Liz. Liz Sue. I’ve been attending Trinity Community Church for four years. I know many of you by your face alone and that may be the only way you know me, too. But if you heard about my accident in February when my car slid on black ice under the middle of a semitruck resulting in a fractured neck and a serious concussion, here is my face and name put together before you now.
Before the accident, I had made a plan of putting the house on the market by the end of February. I had every intention of doing it myself. I knew it would take a lot of time, tons of energy, and endless decisions. Anybody who has moved recently, understands the emotional toll which the physical task of moving demands.
God had told me beforehand (as more of a feeling) that I would not be packing any more boxes in my house, which I thought was a ridiculous message and it made no sense to me. I asked God, “How could I get my house on the market without packing a box? I have to sort, declutter, toss, and pack.” I kept getting that message and I kept questioning the logic behind it. I had no intention of asking anybody’s help. It’s my house. I will do it.
For those who don’t know me, I will sometimes ask for help, but normally, I make excuses for not asking. “I feel like others are too busy.” “I don’t want to put them out because of my need.” “I view time as valuable, so I don’t want to “take” someone else’s time.” “I don’t want to be seen as a USER. I can do this myself.” Anybody else feel the same way about asking for help?
The truth is mostly I don’t ask because I’m afraid they will say “No” and I don’t want to be disappointed, so I won’t ask.
The accident happened. My friends arrived with a plan and told me that they WOULD be putting a plan together to help me. The church arrived with a plan and told me they WOULD be putting a plan together to help me. I put the two groups together and they worked their plan. None of it made much sense to me. But, God knew and He was putting the pieces together.
It all made perfect sense during the first five weeks after the accident when I found myself lying in my bed with a neck brace on, watching 40 people come in and out of my house. They were helping me sort, toss, donate, and pack up my entire house! They packed up 90% of it and sorted through EVERY SINGLE DRAWER AND CUPBOARD. God was right. I did not pack a single box. It was an amazing gift for me.
God took care of me and my family and continues to take care of us in ways that speak to our hearts. God let me know that I was deeply loved and worthy of being served. He made it clear that my time was to be spent healing and trusting in Him.
I want to give a sincere, public thank you to Liz Woody. She has amazing super powers of Love, Patience, Organization, Coordination, Empathy, and Connecting helpers with their gifts and tasks needing to be completed.
Many were asked to come and help us in a time of extreme need. Some of you made meals, others cleaned, while most sorted, packed, and carried boxes and bags away.
I would pray for blessings upon all of your heads that you would feel God’s love, comfort, and protection. I encourage you to remember with wonder and store the memories like these in your hearts to recall them on your own days of trials. God is there for you, too, and you don’t have to slide under a semi-truck either!
I want to express a thank you to all of you who prayed for my neck, my healing, my children’s emotional recovery from getting the terrifying news of the accident, and then for their hearts as they watched for their strong, independent mother to reappear.
Please understand me. I’m a huge proponent of praying and being prayer warriors for each other. Your prayers were what we needed to help us no matter where you were and we were blessed by them.
With that said, I’m especially grateful for the men, women, and children who physically showed up to be my hands and feet. I know time is precious. I think it is the most valuable “possession” we have. Using your time FOR ME was humbling. I feel extraordinarily blessed.
I am truly overwhelmed by the amount of energy you extended and understand the sacrifice you gave to me willingly (or unwillingly). We don’t always go with a joyful heart. But For those who heard, followed the prompting, wondered why on earth you were doing this, but KNEW you had to do it, I am sure God has blessed you because of it!
The only way I can repay that kind of love and attention is to give of my time and energy by using my hands and feet for the next person in need.
Prayers are important. Time and Energy are necessary. More importantly your hands and feet are needed now. One day it will be your turn. Let’s continue to build a community of reliance, not independence. God doesn’t say to do this life alone. He tells us to do it together. By lifting one another up and carrying the burdens for each other, we are honoring the Lord.
