She was looking through the window, counting the cars that went by, watching the people, and wondering if she would ever walk again. That was how her Sunday School teacher, Daisy Philips, found her five minutes later as she came up to Melissa’s room to give her some company.
“How are you doing?” Mrs. Philips asked.
“About the same. I’m counting the cars that go by. I wish I could get out there and walk along with everyone else.” A tear trembled in Melissa’s eye. “I’m glad you came. I was getting lonely.”
“I imagine. But you’ll be better soon,” Mrs. Philips reassured. “Don’t the doctors say that you will walk again?”
“Yes, but it will be a long time. And I have to stay up here in this bedroom, day after day, without any change.” Melissa’s tone became bitter. “Why did God have to let this happen to me?” Twelve-year-old Melissa had been run over by a car while trying to cross a busy street one day three months ago. At first the doctors thought that she would never walk again, but they had changed their minds since then. She was doing beautifully, they said, and it wouldn’t be long before she could walk again. Of course, Melissa was getting very weary of being bedridden and not being able to walk, and she was now beginning to be angry with God for allowing the accident to happen.
“I’m sure He has a purpose in it,” Mrs. Philips responded gently. “Maybe you don’t understand it now, but I’m sure you will someday.”
“Mrs. Philips! What purpose could there be in it? You are always one to try to find a purpose from God in every bad situation. I think it’s all rather silly.”
“Melissa, I know you haven’t trusted Jesus to be your Saviour. Maybe the Lord let the accident happen so that you would have lots of quiet time to think about it.”
“Well, I don’t want that right now. Maybe later.” That day Mrs. Philips left the house feeling discouraged. She knew that Melissa had not acknowledged her need to be saved and to receive Christ as her Saviour. It was her hope and prayer that God would use the accident to bring Melissa to salvation.
The next week, Mrs. Philips decided to try again. As she walked into the room she noticed that Melissa was at the window once again.
“Counting cars again, Melissa?” she asked.
Melissa gave a sad smile. “Yes. Someday I’d like to count how many cars go by in the day all together. I guess I won’t accomplish it today, since you came, but that’s okay; I’ll have lots of other days to try it. I like it when you come.”
“Have you though about what I said last week?” Mrs. Philips questioned.
“Yes, I have, and I guess I do need to be saved. I’ve been angry with God, and I know that’s not right. All this time I’ve had a bad attitude.”
“I’m glad you’ve realized that.” Mrs. Philips said with a smile. “Do you want to be saved now?”
“Well, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I could’ve been killed in that accident, and I would’ve gone to hell. Could you tell me once again about salvation and how I can get it?”
So Mrs. Philips began, “Everyone sins. The Bible says that the wages or payment of sin is death. But God gave his Son to take our punishment. That’s what Jesus did when He died on the cross; He took the sins of the whole world upon himself. He is not dead anymore, though. He rose again after three days and now He is in heaven with God the Father. All you have to do to be saved from your sins is repent of your sins and receive Jesus to be your Saviour. You do not have to do any good works or pray certain prayers. The Bible says salvation is ‘not by works of righteousness which we have done.’ If you really and truly accept Him to be your Saviour, then when you die you will go to be with Him in heaven.”
“I understand it now,” Melissa said excitedly. “I want to accept Jesus as my Saviour.” When Melissa finished praying, there were tears of joy in both her eyes and Mrs. Philips eyes.
“Melissa, the Sunday School class has been praying for you every week since your accident. How happy they will be to find out that you have accepted Christ to be your Saviour!”
“I’m glad that I got in that accident, since it meant that I would find Christ. You are right, Mrs. Philips, God has a purpose in everything.”