I'm just utterly amazed at God's powerful moving through the everyday and how everything is completely within His control. He machinates the workings of every moment to teach, inspire, warn... and show just how faithful, so very faithful, He is to the cause of those who love Him.

I got into a minor skirmish on the road the other day on a roundabout. That being my first ever car accident, I really freaked out and was at a loss of what to do. All the SOPs escaped me and I didn't twice about calling anyone; just accepted what the guy said - that I shouldn't have been on the left lane - and agreed to make full payment to him. We settled it 'privately' on the roadside and after exchanging details and taking photos, he told me he'd contact me thereafter and bill the invoice to me.

After driving away in what was a state of complete shock and numbness (I was safe and unhurt, thank God. 'twas just a minor scrape on his bumper) I reached home and mom told me I should have done a thousand things if not for blanking out at the spot. I shouldn't have accepted full responsibility, I shouldn't have allowed him to bill the invoice straight to me, I should have paid him upfront after a quotation, I should have brought his car to my workshop, I should have called somebody to settle it. What was worse was I checked my phone again and realised that I lost the guy's contact completely - no license plate number, name, nothing - so I couldn't reverse whatever we had agreed on on the road. I must have NOT saved that text containing his details in that flurry.

Mom felt bad on my behalf from all that was happening and went out and got me a Hershey's dark chocolate bar.

Was slightly worried over the next 1-2 days that I'd have a 1000-dollar bill sent to me, with all sorts of works put into the repair by the mechanics of his workshop. Surrendered and prayed and left it to God, hoping the big cross I saw on his dashboard was a reflection of true faith and honesty. Alvin insisted that I do something in the meanwhile rather than waited for things to happen. He urged me to report the matter to the TP and IDAC in case he should send a bill to me via insurance (and if I had not filed in at least a report that case, I'll lose all claiming rights) OR send an outrageous private bill. In his view the law would protect me - but I really didn't want to face legal consequences of any sort. I didn't know if I was going to be investigated by the TP and fined for being a silly left lane, or if I'd incur higher insurance premiums. But I knew God said to do the right thing - to render to Caesar's what is Caesar's - and to face the consequences of what I did or did wrong no matter how minor.

Went to the police post to log a file - to the amusement of the officer as he says cases like that are usually unreported - and took time to go down to IDAC even though I had completely lost the other party's details and there was no damage on my car. The IDAC lady was similarly amused; I bet they were all thinking how silly this all was, this honest little girl and her all-too-honest ways.

Today's CME lesson was on integrity. And as I was talking to my kids about Integrity - being willing to do the right things even when you have the chance to escape, cheat, or dodge; doing the right things even when no one is looking - this example surfaced to mind. I love using personal stories to illustrate things I'm teaching, so I raised it up. All of them were amused that I would report something as small as this too, but it hit a point.

"I was prepared to bear the consequences, and the decision was costly. I might have to pay higher insurance premiums, or face a TP fine because I flouted a traffic rule... But I did what I ought to, and what was right. And I felt good about it after that."

God works in miraculous ways. What is foolish to man will be used by God; and what seems wise to man is foolishness in the eyes of the Lord. After all I've done to clear myself on legal and insurance grounds, after sharing this personal story with my kids and reminding them to be honest and have the integrity to own up to things they did - I received a blessed text tonight, saying:

"Hi Jean, this is XYZ here. This is to inform you that I have covered the damages myself so there is no need for you to pay anything. Good night and God bless."

I was absolutely floored.

Everything swept back to me as I comprehended the whole event in its entirety; how God sneakily erased that message containing his details (or enabled me not to save it), how He used Alvin to teach me a lesson of integrity; how He worked through a gracious brother in the larger Family to pardon the damage even though it was my fault. It spoke of an even higher pardon, and the wiping away of consequences when I finally was prepared to face and accept them. It spoke of dear kindness, generosity, and love from a great Father who knows and sees and works through everything for His higher purpose. It spoke of my Daddy's love and rescue - something I needed to be convinced of, because I often come down hard on myself for making many silly mistakes from being unaware and ignorant.

Daddy knows I'm a frazzled bunny, but He's assured me that He'll redeem the situation no matter what - if I surrender and do the right things in Him. His faithfulness speaks volumes yet again.

Another answered prayer on "God, make Yourself real to me in my life. Make yourself real."
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