Reverend Johnny Dragon

2 Corinthians 12:9

9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

On January 7^th, 2009 I was in a car accident. I was on my way to work at 6:30AM, not playing with the radio, not messing with my phone and definitely not under the influence of any substance other than caffeine. I simply came around a corner and before I could react, I had driven under a school bus. When I opened up my eyes, or came to or whatever happened, I was staring at the bumper of the Bus, inches away from my face. Someone called 911 and covered me in a blanket. Things are pretty hazy but I do remember the ambulance ride to the Hospital and being told over and over how lucky I was. I hurt all over, but my first concern was really how my pregnant Wife was going to deal with the news. She is very level headed but when one of her people experience danger she goes into Mama Bear mode like you would not believe.

Even after getting to the Hospital I still did not recognize the degree of my injuries. I figured that they would fix me right up and send me home. Maybe miss the rest of the week of work, lay in the recliner and vegetate for a few days. I was rolled back and forth and never thought anything could hurt that bad. I was x-rayed and MRIed and eventually told that I had broken my neck, back and most of my ribs and that I needed to realize just how lucky I was. It still did not seem all that real.

My background with addiction is extensive so I have a lot of fear around pain medication and all of a sudden I had no choice if I expected to feel any relief from very extensive injuries. The Doctor was very clear that I had to heal and that pain could slow down the process if my mind was in the wrong place. He then told me how lucky I was. It is at this point that I would like all of you to know that I refuse to refer to it as luck. I stopped being lucky years ago. I was where I was because God had me, and he had all of me.

I managed to have a good attitude through all of this and none of that has anything to do with anything I am doing on my own power. I have no other power than the power God provides for me on a daily basis. Please do not think it has all been sunshine and lollipops. I have had those questionable moments of doubt and worry. Those moments where fear creeps in and decides that now is a great chance to shake up the situation. The difference is that now these moments are fleeting and I actually talk about them without fear of judgment. I have also been able to see God in other people a lot clearer than I normally do. My Wife has been so awesome in this situation and has shown me unconditional love in all of our trials. She has cared for me, physically and emotionally. She has cried with me and has listened to me unload my fears and frustrations. I have heard people say that they have seen the love of Christ through the actions of others and Sherri has set that example for me. I have fallen so short in this area.

My AA sponsor and probably my best friend with the exception of my Wife has been with me in some shape or form every day. He has walked me through some tough moments, has helped me shave when I could not do it on my own and brought every one Girl Scout Cookies because sometimes thats exactly what you need to make things better. He has done these things quietly and without wish of recognition or fan fare. He has taught me things about integrity and character that I will forever be grateful. I have seen the love of Christ through his actions and I thank Don Mabry with all my heart.

My Wifes best friend Britta flew into town and has been taking care of the house and making the Kids feel safe and secure. She has made me feel like a member of her Family and I love her dearly. Our neighborhood has banded together and brought food. People I do not even know cared enough to do what they could just to let us know that we were not alone. Our Church has done the same as well as near and dear friends who just want to say that they are there. I have learned so much humility through all of this and have had no trouble seeing God in all of these people.

It is so easy to become cynical in this day and age. We watch our politicians work against each other even when so many would be helped if they just worked together. We see people take advantage of each other and treat each other without any sense of love or respect. Our children grow up feeling the need to tear each other down based on the example we set as parents. Addiction runs rampant as we pass judgment on others and look down our noses from our lofty pedestals of perfection. Meanwhile people are dying daily, alone and without hope, and until it hits us in our own back yard, it is just easier to ignore. This is just a small amount of what Christians do on a daily basis that sends out the message that God is not about love, but rather about casting aside the very people that Jesus came to save.

Why does it take a near death experience to see the love and grace of God in those people that surround us on a daily basis? How great would it be to be able to do that no matter what is going on in our lives. I want this and have a real willingness to pursue this daily. It is only through my connection with God that I am able to see any of these things. It is only through the conscious contact that I have with Him that any of this is possible. I challenge myself daily to pour myself into Gods word and in that personal interaction I have with Him. I may have a broken neck, but I have never had to carry my own cross and then die for anyone, let alone everyone. How hard could it be to see Him in others?

I challenge each and every one of you to see God in those around you. Be nicer to that waiter that gets on your nerves. Understand that you get to stand in that line in the Grocery Store while others stand in line just to get a bottle of water for their Children. Put aside the judgment of others because you have no understanding of what its like to be in their shoes. Love each other a little more today…what do you have to lose? After my accident my Grandmother called me and told me that I needed to run out and start a Church because I would never truly be able to show God the appreciation that he deserved for the blessings in my life. She was being funny, but you know what? I just might just follow her advice.

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