A few weeks ago my new car, which I bought as an early Christmas present back at the end of last year, got rear-ended driving home from work one afternoon. It all happened very quickly and I was unharmed bar a slightly stiff neck the next morning, but my car had to be towed away.
The accident
Here is how the accident happened. I was at a T-Intersection turning left, waiting for a gap in the traffic coming towards me on the right. A break came, I selected first gear, and began to take off, behind me at the same time a big four wheel drive Ute accelerated loudly and ran up the back of me causing significant damage to my tailgate, bumper bar, lighting, rear windscreen and roof spoiler.
There was wreckage all over the road and I was able to limp off to the side while I called my parents, NRMA, and exchanged details with the driver at fault.
The driver had a bull bar so he was practically undamaged save a few scratches and scuff marks on the front of rack and once details were exchanged he was clear to drive off.
Meanwhile, I had to wait for my Dad to come and collect me, and for the NRMA to tow my car away. The driver at fault was a good sport and sent through all his details for insurance but once the NRMA collected my car the waiting game to get it back began.
The accident happened right at the end of the heavy storm Sydney had during April so there was a massive back log of cars involved in accidents.
By the time I got home, around 9:30pm, I was tired. I ate dinner, showered and went to sleep as soon as I hit the pillow.
God's providence
To help me get around during this time, my work kindly offered for me to drive a work Ute so I can still get to work and do activities on weekends. I got the report from the NRMA and it was all just cosmetic damage, which meant it is just replacing panels and windows, no need to fix the chassis because it was not warped, or have it written off and need to get a another new car.
I'm thanking God a lot for protecting me and providing for me during this time, He made sure I was not shunted out into the oncoming traffic at the T-intersection, that the driver at fault was helpful in sending through details, and that I was provided with transport to get to work effectively and be able to still participate in the youth programme at my church.
It was a rather sad and long day, but the weeks that followed certainly helped me to focus and appreciate what God can do in your life in situations.
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is a youth leader at New Life Christian Church in Blacktown. A voracious reader, he ploughs through many books in a calendar year, with a bookcase that is constantly being rearranged to accommodate new additions.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html
