Celebrate the Miracle of God’s Grace Through My Accident

Which anniversaries do you celebrate? Your wedding anniversary? Maybe a milestone at work—or “work-iversary” as some of my teammates at Joni and Friends like to say? Whatever anniversary you cherish most, it’s most likely an occasion that marks something good in your life, a moment to cherish. 

So why then, you might ask, do I celebrate the anniversary of my 1967 diving accident in which I broke my neck and became paralyzed? It might sound outlandish at first, to celebrate an event that at the time seemed like nothing but a tragedy. But now, nearly six decades later? I look back and I am astounded at the grace of God that saw me through the worst of times. 

Remembering the Deeds of the Lord 

I love thinking back to the first few years of my journey with quadriplegia—now being able to see what God was up to. God’s grace was there when I was too weak and sick to even sit up in a wheelchair. And God’s grace carried me through that painful season when all my friends either got married or went off to college.  

Remembering is the way I like to celebrate the annual anniversary of breaking my neck. We benefit greatly by remembering the deeds of the Lord and all the grace he’s given us in years past when we suffered through the hard seasons of life. Just look at Psalm 77:11–12: 

 “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”  

Now… God’s mighty deeds and miracles include much more than the parting of the Red Sea, or crumbling the walls of Jericho, or making the sun stand still for Joshua. For you, God’s mighty deeds might not be carrying you through quadriplegia, but it could include that long season of depression he brought you up out of, or saving you from a dangerous and destructive relationship, or bringing home your wayward prodigal child. 

Will You Celebrate with Me? 

Today, whatever suffering you face, will you join me in celebrating God’s unwavering faithfulness in the midst of our most grueling trials? We do this by recalling the countless ways the Lord Jesus has provided grace in times of need, strength in times of weariness, and comfort in moments of deepest suffering. 

It is so invigorating to the soul and so helpful to our faith when we look back on the reservoir of grace that was miraculously given—most importantly by Jesus on the cross. Oh friend, our suffering Savior has given us every cause to celebrate. Because by his sacrifice, he became The Way by which every bit of pain in your life and mine will work together for good as we trust (and celebrate) him! 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Philippians 4:4 

-Joni Eareckson Tada