It was a hot Sunday afternoon in June, and my wife asked me to buy a bag of ice for the fruit punch she was making. For whatever reason, I brought home two bags of ice. Too much for the punch bowl, we ended up storing one bag in the freezer.
The next evening I was doing some carpentry work in our house. My hand slipped into the electric saw and, in a split second, my hand was severed and lay on the floor.
I instinctively began to repeat the name of Jesus over and over again as I stood there trying to get the bleeding stopped. As soon as I called on the name of Jesus, He was there instantly.
It was as if someone with many arms reached around me and held me. I was very aware of His presence and felt the strength of His arms.
When the paramedics arrived, they asked my wife if she had any ice. At that very moment, it was as if God said, “You are not alone. I am with you.” A supernatural peace came over us.
That bag of ice was a symbol that God was not surprised by this accident and that He would care for us throughout the ordeal that followed. They used the ice to keep my severed hand cold until we got to the hospital. Without it, the doctors would not have been able to reattach it.
Through the weeks and months that followed, God taught us many things about Himself and His love for us. The Scripture, “He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid” (Deuteronomy 31:8), became very real to us. God often speaks to us in symbols, whether it be a cross or a bag of ice.
No matter what we are going through, He will always give us a reminder that He is there.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. —Psalm 23:4, NIV
Prayer: Lord, teach us not to worry when things go wrong, but show us that You are with us in every circumstance. You never abandon us. You are always there.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Barry Slauenwhite is the CEO of Compassion Canada.
Read all the One in Spirit devotionals.