IN the BLINK of an EYE, (DUI)

Journal Entry October 17, 2009

Mark and I were on our way home from a nice dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I thought about my day and prayed for my family and loved ones who were struggling with their life issues. We were about to make our right turn onto Spring lake Boulevard, when high-beamed headlights veered into our lane. Mark lay on the horn and mumbled out loud,
"Idiot".
He suddenly slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder. I was wide awake now.

"Hold on, something’s going on up there," he pointed to our intersection. He pulled over onto the shoulder and got out of the car.

"Wait here until I get back to see what's going on.
Straining to see in the darkness, I saw car hazard lights flashing. In a minute he was back, a look of concern on his face.

“There's a bad accident up there. Get over there quickly and see if anyone needs help. It looks like someone’s about to die."

Adrenaline rushed and panic gripped me as I strained to see through what seemed like a thick, acrid smoke wafting through the night air. I asked the Lord to help me to help someone in such a time of need.

As I approached the scene, now clear as day, I saw a overturned van in the middle of the road. It’s front end was completely sheared off. In my haste to assist Mark, I rushed out of our car bare-footed and gingerly made my way through the glass-littered roadway to the first victim. My heart raced wildly as I surveyed the horrendous scene before me while my eyes misted with sorrow at the outcome of such a tragedy.

It was eerily quiet in light of the violence of the impact that most certainly happened only minutes earlier. As I approached the overturned van, a blood-soaked man lay motionless on his side. I stopped in shock and then turned to see Mark waving his arms, to warm approaching vehicles to stop. My senses took in all the ominous sights, smells and sounds, but I was most aware of the smell of burning rubber still billowing from both impotent vehicles. Directly across the van was a tiny souped-up sport car also overturned. It's front end had also been torn off. I could hear a man moaning out loud as I stood staring at the injured man at the van.

Mark rushed up to me, "What are you doing? We’ve got injured people here?”.

I must have been in shock as I surveyed the grisly scene before me, for I couldn’t move or even think. Mark called out to me again as he rushed back to attend the traffic.

“That one over there,” he said pointing to the man in front of me.
“Lord, help me to attend your healing to this man....I speak life to this body...life.” The man groaned softly as I continued to pray and speak life over his body. Although my mind recoiled in utter sadness, I believed even more in Jesus’ power to heal the man. I continued to speak to my Heavenly Father on behalf of this unfortunate stranger who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Precious Jesus, please help us. In your name, this man is healed. We ask you to be here with us.” I bent down and stroked the mans shoulder.

“You’re going to be fine. Jesus is here with us. You’re going to be fine,“ A calmness settled over us as my voice repeated the soothing refrain. I knew all would be well. My thoughts were rambling as my emotions got caught up with the deadly chaotic drama around me. Had I not believed that angels were surrounding and ministering to the man and I, I would not have had strength. My head was still bowed, but I could smell blood and acrid smoke. A young EMT rushed up to us.

“Sir, can you get to your feet?”

I was surprised that with the poor man’s head leaking blood that he would be expected to stand, but the man stirred, groaned and stumbled to his feet. I grabbed his arm and steadied him against the van. Again, I knew the Lord was sustaining me as I was able to steady and hold the man who was twic my weight for what seemed like an eternity.

“Thank you, Jesus. Thank You Jesus.” I continued to stroke the mans shoulder and softly encourage him that he would be fine. I could tell he was weak and trembling, but having a calm composure would mean the difference between his surviving or dying. Blood continued to pour from somewhere in the back of his head, but he kept steady. Another man who sat in the passenger seat with the injured man asked the mans name and if he spoke English. The injured man nodded is head and mumbled that his name was Ahmed

“I kept soothing. Jesus is here with us. Don’t be afraid. It’ll be okay,” Finally another EMT approached us, pushing a stretcher.

“Keep him steady,” He positioned a collar around his neck. I continued to pray for the man even as ambulance, police cars and a fire truck approached the intersection. The badly injured man was lain on a stretcher. My job was done there and I started off to address the needs of the other accident victim.

Lord, touch this man and bring wholeness and peace to this situation,”
I heard the man crying out as I approached the tiny car, now a crumbled heap of twisted metal. He seemed anguished as I saw him trying to move. As I got closer, I shirked back in fear because I couldn’t see his legs. I prayed they weren’t amputated underneath the crushed dashboard and steering wheel.

“Help me. Oh God someone help me,” he cried out.

“It’s okay. I’m here. It’s gonna be okay,” I opened the passenger door and peered in. Thankfully, I didn’t see any blood or severed limbs, just a frightened, disoriented young guy shaking his head back and forth. .
“Hello. Are You okay?” I asked again.

“Where am I? What happened?” he kept sobbing. “I can’t feel my legs...Oh God!”
“What happened?” I asked in concern, “ Did You fall asleep at the wheel?”

“Ahhhh.....I don’t know what happened. All of a sudden I’m here. Get me outta here” He screamed hysterically. I kept praying for God’s peace and wisdom as to how I could assist this man.

“It’s okay, Jesus is here. He sent his angel to comfort you. Be not afraid.,” The words flowed from my mouth as a healing balm that calmed both him and me.

You’re gonna be okay.. God has sent my husband and me to help you.”

“God sent you? Am I gonna hear another sermon, he complained.”I’ve heard enough preaching this week.”

The remark took me by surprised but I continued to give credit to God for the mans fortune. “God knows exactly what’s going on here and He loves you.”

The young guy started to cry.

“Do you live here in Country Lakes?” I asked him. “What is your name?”
“Lance.”

“Cool. My ex bass players name was Lance. You/re gonna be fine, lance,” I stroked his arm again.

“My name’s Angel, Lance. God sent you an angel tonight” He started to cry again and grabbed my arm.

“I’m so glad you came here to help me, Angel”.

A policeman, EMTs and firemen with extrication equipment approached us and asked me to be on my way. Other police were blocking of Route 70 for a helicopter to transport the accident victims to the nearest trauma center and hospital.

I stared at the wreckage before me, devastated at the folly. I walked across the highway to where Mark was talking with a young couple who said they saw and heard the accident at the moment of impact. Other drivers also witnessed the accident, but sped away. The husband was angry that anyone could be so cruel and just pass by accident victims in need of help. He also thanked us for being kind Samaritans who were willing to stop and help out.

I gazed at grisly accident aftermath one more time before Mark and I headed for our car towards home. Thankfully were in our own neighborhood and that God had guided us so beautifully that night, to be His hands, heart and feet. I felt humbled and honored to be his angel and servant. That night, as Mark and I prepared for sleep, he shared with me what the couple told him about the driver who caused the accident.

The young man was stationed at Fort Dix and had a huge fight with his girlfriend. He went to the local bar and got drunk, speeding down Spring lake Boulevard at about 70 miles an hour. The young man said, he saw no brake lights or skid marks. He just barreled through the stop sign at the very moment an airport van was traveling east on Route 70. The impact caused the van to spin completely in the opposite direction they were headed for!

The victim most injured just happened to be arriving in the US from the Middle East, Mark also told me that when he first saw the man laying on the side of the van, he couldn’t see his head and though he was decapitated. When he looked closer, the impact had gauged a massive hole in his scull. I’m glad I hadn’t seen it because it would have traumatized me deeply.

I must admit, few people really understand the implications of such an experience, but I am grateful for the strength, comfort and loving presence of my Heavenly Father. I was so moved by this experience, that a few days later, I wrote lyrics and music for my song, “In the Blink of an Eye, (DUI) I believe God wants me to present this powerful and sobering message to our American people about the necessity of driving awareness.

Text messaging, cell phone use and DUI has claimed the lives of thousands of precious loved ones and permanently maimed thousands more! I can’t stress enough the urgency of respect life while driving. I take my driving as seriously as I do my career. As a matter of fact, driving should be as important as a career, not a leisurely, careless joyride. Mark and I drive thousands of miles a year and we’re shocked everyday, but the people we catch crossing lanes doing 60 while on their cell phones and not remembering to make their turn signal

I don’t know what it will take to make the roads safe for our loved ones. I know that the night that man arrived in America, he never expected to have his life change in the blink of an eye. All it takes is a second to take your eyes off the road or cut some one off and cause a pile up on the Free way. Just one second.....

We’ll take our driving seriously when it hits our own home.

Drive as if your life depended on it!