2013 Ends with a BANG (literally!)

You know the saying “that was a shot in the arm”? We use that saying when talking about needing boost, or an injection of encouragement. Well, how about a shot in the leg? That works too! How do we know? Because Steve was accidentally shot 2 weeks ago (through both thighs) and, just like a shot in the arm kills a virus, that 40 caliber hollow point bullet was exactly what the Good Doctor ordered. It was what Steve needed to close out 2013, and that chapter in his life, and get ready to write a new chapter.

Ready, Aim, FIRE! 

On December 13th, I had just arrived at the Melbourne hospital to visit my Uncle Mac, when I got the call. It was Steve, and he said “Hi baby. Umm, I got shot”. The fact that he is talking to me is a good thing right? I asked him to repeat himself just in case I misunderstood, but he confirmed what I heard was correct. I was an hour away and was about to take the longest road trip home ever.

Now, you could look at this accident as really bad luck, or you can look at this from God’s view and try to figure out what in the world God is trying to teach you. We choose view #2, and boy did God have a lot to show us both.

Like my grandmother always said, “It’s not what happens to you that matters, it’s how you respond to what happens to you that matters most”. Sadly, there are people who get shot every day, but they are too busy trying to figure out who to sue when they could be focusing on what they are supposed to learn from the experience – which could be far more valuable than any settlement they could get.

How’s a gunshot for a little motivation?

Of course getting shot is not something that happens to people every day, but there are many other more common things that can happen to you that can really change your life if you LET it. Your “bullet” could be a heart attack, a breakup, a layoff, or a health issue. The key to success following something like that is looking inward. If you have a heart attack, what do you need to change to strengthen your heart? If it’s a breakup, what can you improve on to be a better mate? If it’s being laid off or a health issue, do you need to be a harder worker or be a better steward of the body God gave you? Even if whatever you are experiencing has NOTHING to do with you and is totally unfair, you can still choose to figure out what you can learn from the experience. That’s what Steve and I did, and what could have turned out to be one of the worst Christmas’ ever turned out to be one of the most special of all.

Here’s Steve’s story, complete with photos and what happened that day…

To everyone who is ready for a new year and a new life. Happy New Year everyone!! 2014 can be your year to change too!