Everyday Living

God Makes Small Things Big

~ Faith

“For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock”
Psalm 27:5

Greetings sweet friends.  I am so glad that you are here.  Today will be unusual!  There are no pretty pictures, no exciting places that we have traveled, no creative tablescapes.  I have wanted to share this real life experience with you for a long time, and I feel that today is the day!  Have you ever had a day that started very ordinary, but quickly shifted to a heart wrenching circumstance?  This is our story, but we are just the characters.  The author is our sovereign God that chose to write this for Butch and me.  You will hear it from both of us – one story from two different perspectives.  It started eleven years ago this very day, and it would forever change how we view Everyday Living…

January 17, 2007 found me working on a project near Mobile, AL. It was mid-week and all seemed to be going well. Around lunchtime I headed back north and east with plans to be home by Thursday night. This would include a swing by our hunting camp located in a very rural part of our state along the Bullock and Barbour County line for an overnight stay. Why not move a couple of deer stands to better locations since I’m already down south? Not likely anyone at the club during the week for me to disturb. I wanted to be better prepared when I came back with Seth to hunt the weekend.

When I arrived at the camp house, I was surprised to find one of our members. He had brought a friend as a guest to hunt a couple days when it wasn’t crowded. It was good to have a little company! After going out for an early morning hunt on Thursday, I came back to the house for a quick turkey sandwich. It was my plan to move one more tree stand and then head home. Seems like the guys who were there were a little low on bread and I had plenty. Long way to the nearest store over at Midway, so I told them no need to make that trip right now! For a reason unknown to me at the time, while sharing my bread, I told my fellow club member I was about to move a deer stand and then go home. I happened to mention where it was located…I suppose to be sure I wasn’t intruding on an area they might be planning to hunt. This was hunter courtesy and one of several seemingly insignificant “small things “of the morning. It was not a problem. Eight thousand acres is a lot of space for a couple of hunters! Now all this was working out so well. A great week at work and an upcoming weekend of hunting with my son and some friends…a good plan!

I could have never imagined that some guys needing a few slices of bread, and a one line statement I would make would be a part of God’s sovereign plan to save my life.

Thursday, January 18 began like most of my days.  The only exception is that Butch was out of town on a business trip…which is a part of his job that I have never liked. I am a bit of a worrier and I am always concerned about his safety whether driving or flying. You might say the day began very ordinary, but little did I know how important an ordinary day would become. Butch and I had talked about me going with him on this trip, but I was working with several clients on jobs that needed my immediate attention, or so I thought. I would second guess that decision over and over again. If only I had gone, things would have been different. As I left a client’s home around 10:30 that morning, I immediately checked my phone. Butch and I talk all during the day when he is traveling to check in and see how each other’s day is going. I had a missed call from him. He left a message that he was going to move a deer stand and he would call me when he was finished. I tried to call back but realized that cell service in this rural area was very poor. After running a couple of errands I returned home around 12:30. I made myself a snack and turned on the gas logs to sit and enjoy a leisurely afternoon knowing that Butch would arrive later that evening.

I thought it strange that I had not heard back from him, which was most unusual. I tried him several times and it immediately went to voice mail. I thought perhaps he decided to hunt. I was a little unsettled. No, I was a lot unsettled!

At 1:42, my phone rang and I was certain it was Butch! It was my brother instead. His voice was extremely shaky and I knew immediately something was very wrong. He began to tell me that he had just received a call from our pastor. Butch had an accident and was being air lifted to a hospital in Montgomery! Time seemed to stop. He asked how soon could I be ready to leave and we agreed to meet at our parents’ home. I could only think that I needed to talk to Seth. I called him and left a message to call me as soon as he could. Within five minutes he called and I told him what little I knew. I tried to think what I needed to pack. I could only think what Butch would need.  I packed him a bag with several changes of clothes and personal items and only a couple of changes of clothes and personal items for me. I thought I would be back home by the weekend. I had no idea what I was about to face. I drove to my parents’ home and in their arms I found such comfort and love. It felt so good to have Seth’s strong shoulder to lean on as we all prayed before we left. By 2:30 we were on the road.

All of this time I was praying for God to please let Butch live. My mind was racing…I couldn’t imagine life without this sweet man that I had been married to for thirty four years. My godly brother’s words of comfort were so needed as he was assuring me that God was in control and we could trust Him. I knew that, but I was having a hard time believing. I was trying hard to trust God and stay calm, but I found that impossible when I received a call from the physician in charge of the trauma unit. Do doctors call family members while they are in route to the hospital? I don’t think so. The good news was Butch was alive, but they didn’t know the extent of his injuries. He was unconscious. When I heard the word unconscious, I completely fell apart. Would Butch live, would he die? I had to make a choice that would carry me through: Can I trust God in this crisis? The two and one half hour drive seemed like an eternity. Upon our arrival, we were met by the chaplain of the hospital and our pastor. He would be taking us to back to the ER. I did not think that chaplains normally did that…unless it was not good news. He opened the curtains where Butch was and nothing on this earth could have prepared me for what I saw. It was a moment forever etched in my memory.

That turkey sandwich on the morning of Thursday, January 18, would be the last thing I would remember for about a month. The words I shared with my hunting buddies on the porch would be the last words I spoke to anyone for the same period…with the exception of 4 important words that I’ll share later. Strangely, every year these days on the calendar leave me with an indescribable sense of loss and absence. A mysterious gap that can stir a wide range of thoughts and emotions. Yet at the same time it’s truly a reminder of God’s mercy and miracles. The events of that day and many days thereafter are the beginnings of my story. A story of the supernatural work of God as would be shared with me later by those who were there. A host of alert, caring, and loving people. It all started with a phone call….

Thank you all for entering into our story…and this is just the beginning.  We are anxious to share more and more of God’s sovereignty and goodness during one of the hardest times of our lives.  Stay tuned next week!

 

Linking with: Journeys In Grace, Grace & Truth, Counting My Blessings

Comments

  1. Oh, Pam and Butch — thank you for sharing this story. I suspect it is a tough one to write and probably a healing one to write. Certainly and important one to share. (You do know how to leave us with a cliffhanger, to be sure!). Truly, as one who has been to the ER for Rick more than once, I understand — to a degree — some of the terror that you, Pam, felt. The difference is that my worry did NOT involve someone unconscious for month, a lengthy ride out of town and the degree of serious injury I suspect we will hear next time. That was bad enough; oh, how frightening for you.

    Even without reading the next installment, I will say here and now, I am so grateful that the ultimate end game wasn’t the final one. Thy will be done — and clearly, Butch, there was a reason you came back. I”m glad you did.

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  2. Good morning my friend. What a miraculous story you are sharing with us and to God be the glory! I am so anxious to hear all of this story. God works in amazing ways. This story can impact a world. Maybe as you write this blog you can put this in print form for publication. You are both prolific writers and again this is a gift from God. God is in everything, in every circumstance and in every moment. Trusting in these circumstances is difficult, really difficult. I know others will be like me..eager to hear the next chapter.

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  3. That was quite a cliffhanger. But it brought to mind our story that also includes deer hunting. My husband was hunting in Virginia. We live in Florida. Coming out of the woods walking in deep snow he became short of breath. Back at his little motel with no phones in the room he began to have a heart attack. Only by God’s actions was his hunting buddy, whose son in that area was a state trooper, did they manage to meet up with the EMS a few miles away and they got him to University hospital in Charlottesville several more miles away and saved his life. Oh there are so many “what if’s” in our story, but we know God was in control and spared his life.

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  4. Dear Pam: Such a story this morning. I do know God has plans for each and every one of us, during freighting times that can be so difficult to hold on to. I will be anxious to read this next chapter.

    Blessings to you on this day, that will be with you forever.

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  5. Pam and Butch, my hubby and I read your story together this morning, and will stay tuned for the rest of the story. We can tell that it truly impacted you both in a significant way. Pam, I know the worry you feel when Butch travels for work. Mr. Bleu travels a lot for business, and I worry the whole time he is away. We talk often by phone, and I am always checking to see where he is. We hope you both enjoy your weekend, and are anxious to read the rest of your story.

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  6. Today is my birthday! I never knew this happened. I am eagerly waiting to read the next installment of your story! So glad you and Butch are here to tell it! Still love you!!

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  9. I remember this so well. My mom calling and telling me about it, and saying Pray for Butch, he may not make it. Love you sweet cousin, Lynn

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  10. I am hanging by a thread waiting to here the rest of the story. Somehow music is going to play a part in the rest of your story. I can just feel it. Tears filled my eyes as I read even knowing God rescued Butch. We have a good good Father.

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  11. Pam and Butch, my heart is melting and racing at the same time. Oh my mercy has God ever given you both a testimony to share. I am so thankful that He has allowed you both to share. One thing I do know is that God always will use our story and the truth is others need to hear our God stories. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  13. What an amazing story! I can only imagine the impact remembering what happened on this date in 2007 has on the two of you. I look forward to hearing the rest of the story. My heart is beating real fast just thinking about it and glad I know Butch made it through this difficult journey.

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  14. I can’t wait for the next post as I just know that God is going to show up BIG! Love these testimonies to God’s faithfulness!

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  15. Reading your story (even though it is part 1) has changed what January 18 will mean forever to me….my firstborn was born on January 18, 43 years ago. I will not think of his birthday without thinking of you & Butch as well!
    Love you, my friend!

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  16. Even without knowing the next part of the story I feel like your faith and sweetness is going to get you through it you both such good storytellers ❤️

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  17. What an amazing story and I cannot wait to read the rest of the story…you are keeping us in suspense…I had to read parts of this story to my hubby about your concerns for his safety when he is traveling and how many calls you make to each other during the day while he is gone…it truly sounds like us! I know we had lots in common!
    Anxious to hear the rest of the story…Have a great weekend Pam!

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  18. Thank you dear friends Pam and Butch for sharing those bitter and terrible moments with us your friends. God is always among us, and trusting Him is fundamental. Nothing happens if God does not have it planned.
    Fortunately you can tell it and that is the important thing.
    All my Love
    Dolores

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  19. I could hardly read this as the memory of loosing a loved one came roaring back and it was so difficult. I am glad that Butch survived and this story ultimately has happy ending. We lost our 18 year old son to a freak accident and got the dreaded phone call from the hospital… I have had to learn to trust that God knew what he was doing, but it is not easy, even after 13 years. Your belief is inspiring Pam and Butch.
    Jenna

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  20. We rest in God’s hands always and forever to be saved or judged by Him. Since this is a happy ending I can’t wait to read what happened. God is forever refining us. Each of our stories a miracle and a testimony to His glorious grace and faithful LOVE! Thanks for sharing with Home Sweet Home.

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