Not yet, not today

My life has been peppered with instances of nearly dying or being put into some serious possible harm. I don't know why I am so accident prone. I don't know why I have had to be rescued time and time again. Perhaps I have yet another thing or two more to do for the Lord, I always settle on, when it comes down to the why. I suppose we ALL have something more to do every day if we survive another night of sleep and have been permitted yet another new day to perform our labors.

There was once such experience which nearly befell me while I was a driver as my way to support my family and earn a living.

During my tenure as an Uber/Lyft driver driving in the Vancouver, Washington market, I recall the moment where I was driving down a familiar road. I was en route to pick up heading north on 164th Ave between Mill Plain and 18th and at a comfortable speed. I don't recall what speed I was driving but I was hustling to pick up the next passenger which lay about another mile North East of my location. Taking 164th Avenue seemed to be the most convenient route to get there, I should mention.

I remember moving along checking the GPS for an ETA when I had looked up to see there was a red light signal glowing the brightest of reds and it was staring me down. I could almost hear a pulsating "Halt" sound whispering to my mind and I had moments to decide what to do about it. I saw a car approaching on the right set to cross in front of me. I had moments to decide. My mind was thinking speed up to avoid a collision but another voice entered into my head that I should apply the break instead. Then everything began to slow down in my mind. Had I come to a complete stop, it would have been after the intersection about 50 feet at the rate I was stopping. All I could see was the other sedan moving slowly across my path. I did not see his eyes and neither did any of us honk. My car continued to move forward and even after I had been applying the breaks, I did not seek cause to actually stop but I kept moving forward. It felt as though I had been given an additional 2 seconds to slow down for some reason. Had I hit the gas, I might have caught the drivers-side corner bumper and then there would have been a very serious problem to encounter after then which was 1) How could I continue driving to support my family and 2) what if I had a serious injury to accompany 1?

I did not feel a hand over my chest holding me back but I felt as though my car was suspended and slowed up significantly and for the split second or two that our cars passed by one another harmlessly onto our destinations, neither one of us felt the need to stop and process what had happened by getting out of the car to catch our breath. I don't know what the other driver was doing but I was heavily panting and sweating by the time I had gotten to the next signal light.

I went to pick up my clients and thought nothing more. I certainly didn't want to divulge what had nearly happened either to the 2 passengers I had recently picked up just following this incident for at least the reason of instilling some confidence in them that they too wouldn't be getting into an accident with me that night but probably more so I would have had a difficult time attempting to explain the loss of about 2 seconds and how my car avoided danger. This was not my time to crash or die and it certainly wasn't the next lesson that God wanted me to learn. I had to support the family and it would have been catastrophic, to me, to ALL OF US, had I gotten into that accident.

What happened to me and why did I get those 2 more seconds? Why was I spared an accident there and not the accident which also could have snuffed out my life a few years back in April, 2009, now more than 10 years ago?

All I know is that through some special design or because of some divine providence, I am still around today to do something. I imagine myself being an instrument in the hands of God to do things both great and small. I endeavor to become trustworthy enough to be utilized for good and to accomplish some of the more important missions that God may have yet for me to do. Is this why I am being preserved and prepared?

Whatever the answer and to whatever end, I can only hope that my days will continue to be a high number... perhaps I may be of service ongoing and I will be around to usher in the return of my redeemer or perhaps be sent to rescue some soul or be someones transportation. To do all things both great and small.

The Church's Official Position on "Gays and Lesbians."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement through a spokesman following the delivery of a petition by the Human Rights Campaign (broadcast quality video (.mov) and audio (.mp3) is available for media use. A YouTube version can be viewed or embedded here) : My name is Michael Otterson. I am here representing the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the matter of the petition presented today by the Human Rights Campaign. While we disagree with the Human Rights Campaign on many fundamentals, we also share some common ground. This past week we have all witnessed tragic deaths across the country as a result of bullying or intimidation of gay young men. We join our voice with others in unreserved condemnation of acts of cruelty or attempts to belittle or mock any group or individual that is different – whether those differences arise from race, religion, mental challenges, social status, sexual orientation or for any other reason. Such actions simply have no place in our society. This Church has felt the bitter sting of persecution and marginalization early in our history, when we were too few in numbers to adequately protect ourselves and when society’s leaders often seemed disinclined to help. Our parents, young adults, teens and children should therefore, of all people, be especially sensitive to the vulnerable in society and be willing to speak out against bullying or intimidation whenever it occurs, including unkindness toward those who are attracted to others of the same sex. This is particularly so in our own Latter-day Saint congregations. Each Latter-day Saint family and individual should carefully consider whether their attitudes and actions toward others properly reflect Jesus Christ’s second great commandment - to love one another. As a church, our doctrinal position is clear: any sexual activity outside of marriage is wrong, and we define marriage as between a man and a woman. However, that should never, ever be used as justification for unkindness. Jesus Christ, whom we follow, was clear in His condemnation of sexual immorality, but never cruel. His interest was always to lift the individual, never to tear down. Further, while the Church is strongly on the record as opposing same-sex marriage, it has openly supported other rights for gays and lesbians such as protections in housing or employment. The Church’s doctrine is based on love. We believe that our purpose in life is to learn, grow and develop, and that God’s unreserved love enables each of us to reach our potential. None of us is limited by our feelings or inclinations. Ultimately, we are free to act for ourselves. The Church recognizes that those of its members who are attracted to others of the same sex experience deep emotional, social and physical feelings. The Church distinguishes between feelings or inclinations on the one hand and behavior on the other. It’s not a sin to have feelings, only in yielding to temptation. There is no question that this is difficult, but Church leaders and members are available to help lift, support and encourage fellow members who wish to follow Church doctrine. Their struggle is our struggle. Those in the Church who are attracted to someone of the same sex but stay faithful to the Church’s teachings can be happy during this life and perform meaningful service in the Church. They can enjoy full fellowship with other Church members, including attending and serving in temples, and ultimately receive all the blessings afforded to those who live the commandments of God. Obviously, some will disagree with us. We hope that any disagreement will be based on a full understanding of our position and not on distortion or selective interpretation. The Church will continue to speak out to ensure its position is accurately understood. God’s universal fatherhood and love charges each of us with an innate and reverent acknowledgement of our shared human dignity. We are to love one another. We are to treat each other with respect as brothers and sisters and fellow children of God, no matter how much we may differ from one another. We hope and firmly believe that within this community, and in others, kindness, persuasion and goodwill can prevail.