Faith, Hope and Chocolate

My first date with my sweet husband consisted of going to the movies to watch Forrest Gump in July of 1994.  Little did I know, that first date would turn into a serious relationship nearly 20 years strong.  One of my favorite lines from the movie is the famous quote:  "Life is like a box of chocolates - you never know what you're gonna get".

Last Friday, my dad was in a car accident. Fortunately, he wasn't hurt. In fact, he wasn't driving.  He was riding shotgun with his friend and they were headed to church.  In an instant, a pedestrian leaving a liquor store, holding a six-pack of beer came out of nowhere and they hit him. The pedestrian was rushed to the hospital, and it was confirmed that his blood alcohol level was higher than the legal limit, so my dad's friend wasn't charged with any wrongdoing.  On Sunday, the pedestrian died.  

Understandably, the driver was distraught by what had happened.  One second, he and my dad are laughing and talking, and the next - tragedy strikes.  We all know that circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. Terrible things like this make me especially cognizant of the fact that we're all extremely fragile.  We can never be fully prepared for what life throws at us, no matter how hard we try to be in control.  We should be so grateful for what we have, while we still have it.

My dad will turn 80 years old in May.  He's been through a lot in his life, and is very wise.  It was such a blessing that he was there when this terrible accident occurred because he was a tremendous source of comfort to the driver.  My dad is especially cool under pressure, and he's very level-headed.  He is a very proud Cuban. He left Cuba in the early '60s because he was so outspoken against the Communist party.  His choices were to stay in Cuba and risk being imprisoned/killed, or he could leave the country.  

He lost everything he had ever worked for in an instant.  He had to start all over, in a country whose language he didn't speak. Fortunately, we live in a free country that is still "the land of opportunity".  Although he has gone through his fair share of trials and tribulations - as we all do - he realizes that we are a culmination of our experiences.  Our character and perseverance is molded by our ability to endure events such as these. Persevering proves our faith - and brings about hope.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love  him, who have been called according to his purpose".