By Panpan
The Lord Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The Lord’s words tell us that even the wealth of the whole world cannot be considered to be on a par with life. Thus, it can be seen how precious life is to man. However, my husband and I did not know how to cherish it, so we nearly lost our lives because of making money. So, whenever I read this verse, I would call to mind the scene of my husband and I being wonderfully protected by the Lord. And I could not help but sigh: Man is so small and powerless in the face of death …
In April, 2006, due to the extension of the railway and road near our house, the developer opened a fragmental stone processing factory on the mountain which was a few kilometers away from our home. He offered to pay 300 yuan for the transportation of a truck-load of stones. Therefore, in order to make more money, every morning my husband and I would go there early so as to queue to load our truck.
Once, a torrential rain poured down for several days on end, and the ground by the roadside already became soft. Then one day, as always, my husband and I went early to wait in line. At about 9 a.m., we began to drive down the mountain with our truck full of stones. When we reached the road at the foot of the mountain, I felt the ground began to sink because of the weight of our truck. Unfortunately, to the left of the road there was a slope, and down the slope lay the Zijiang River. And now, our truck had lost its balance and began to sway to the left. Seeing the truck was about to go over the slope, I thought: We’re done for. The slope is over 33 meters high. If the truck rolls over the slope, we’re bound to die. Even if we are lucky enough to escape from death, we will be disabled for the rest of our life. Now both my husband and I were breaking out in a cold sweat from fear.
At this crisis, I kept crying out for the Lord, “O Lord! Save us! Save us!” When I was at a loss, my husband cried, “Hurry! Open the door and jump out. Or we’ll both be killed!” So I quickly opened the door. Then he said, “Hurry! Jump out! I will jump right after you.” Yet, after I did that, the truck started to go over the slope and the door closed itself. My husband then waved to me with tears in his eyes as the truck rolled down the slope with him and the stones.
Immediately, I cried out my husband’s name, but only saw the truck rolled and rolled, and split into two parts, and that some small trees were uprooted as the truck rolled over them. I was struck dumb by this scene. I thought, “This time, he is certainly dead.” However, when the front of the truck turned over an eighth time and was about to tip into Zijiang River, a miracle happened: It suddenly came to rest and did not fall into the river. But my husband did not come out. Seeing that, I cried out his name at the top of my lungs, yet the slope being so abrupt, I was unable to go down there to have a look and could only wait anxiously on the road.
Then, several truck drivers, who also came to convey stones, ran over after hearing my cry. At the sight of the scene, they were all stunned, and then began to talk about the state my husband would be in, since the truck had rolled down such a steep slope and had split into two parts. At that time, someone quickly called his acquaintance on the phone to ask him to go and have a look by boat. After twenty minutes or so, a boat arrived there with several men. They got off the boat and went toward where the front part of the truck was. Then, I saw that my husband had wormed his way through the broken door, and in a feeble voice, said, “I’m not dead. I’m still alive …” At that particular moment, I burst into tears of excitement, and was extremely grateful to the Lord in my heart. Now, some people around me said, “After a fall from such a high slope, your husband is still alive! He is really lucky.” Some said, “Thank Good Heavens! He has saved your lives so that you both survive.” Yet I knew clearly that it was the Savior Jesus that watched over and protected us.
Subsequently, the several men who came in the boat sent my husband to the hospital. After he had a thorough examination, the doctor said, “It’s really a miracle that he actually hadn’t suffered any internal injuries! He only had a minor scratch on his shoulder! After we change the dressing on his shoulder several times, he’ll be all right then.” Surprised were the acquaintances who accompanied me to the hospital. They said, “The slope is so high, and even the truck has split into two parts after that fall, yet he only has some superficial injuries. He must lead a charmed life.” After hearing their words, I continued to give thanks to the Lord in my heart.
Just as the Bible said, “Because you have made Jehovah, which is my refuge, even the most High, your habitation; There shall no evil befall you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:9–11). When we met with misfortune and danger, and our lives were threatened, the Lord is our refuge, and He enabled us to have a narrow escape from them. This accident made me truly realize the wondrous deeds of the Lord, as well as His power and ability, and also experience the Lord’s love and salvation. Besides, it helped me understand: All the material wealth is just an externality, and only life is the most precious. Thank the Lord for His salvation!
