by Bruce Devereaux

On Sunday afternoon, April 15th, I lay on the pavement in West Seattle wondering what just happened. I’d been riding my bicycle on Delridge Way looking forward to the remainder of the ride home when for some unknown reason, my bicycle suddenly twisted right and I hit the pavement on my right hip, shoulder and helmet.

A good Samaritan, Duncan, stopped his car to block traffic and came to my aid. I was clear-headed enough to give him my wife, Glyn’s name and phone number. He said he thought I’d get up and walk off to the side of the road. I remember lying on the pavement thinking my hip was badly bruised but that Glyn would pick me up and I’d be alright. Wrong!

Fortunately the accident happened across the street from a police station and I believe they called the medics who called an ambulance to take me to Swedish/Providence. I remember riding in the ambulance and asking the medic if they had my bike helmet. They gave it to me to look at.

At the time I didn’t fully understand what a lifesaver that helmet was. The force of my head hitting the pavement left rock impressions in the plastic cover and fractured the foam liner. Wear a helmet at all times. I’m living proof to the value of helmets.

Due to the extent of the breaks in my right hip socket, I was sent to Harborview. I’d also broken 8 ribs and a bone in my shoulder. On Tues, April 17, orthopedic surgeons cut a 14” incision and, with pins and plates, repaired the shattered hip socket and surrounding bones.

Due to blood clotting difficulties and two clots in my lungs, I had significant internal bleeding. Over the next few days I received 6 units of donor blood. Two weeks later, I went back to Harborview to have the incision opened and the pooled blood removed. The first week in ICU I had no sense of how sick I was.

It is only in hindsight that I understood how close to death I was. The power of prayer and the care of the Harborview staff are what saved me. During that time and still today, I’ve felt a safe blanket of love, care and protection from the prayers of God’s people around the world.

One way this has been evident to me is a lack of fear. The first week in Harborview could have been scary with all the tubes, pain (mostly managed) and uncertainty of what was happening to me. I remember having a sense of peace that continues. My abiding feeling has been that God is watching out for me and I can face the future with hope.

Some people asked me if I was angry with God for letting the accident happen. I thought of all the times of bike riding where I felt on the edge of an accident but came back to safety. God surely watched out for me and kept me safe. This time I sensed God saying “Bruce, the accident will happen, but I will surround you with my people.”

After talking to Duncan, I believe he is a person of faith. So many others including our neighbors have surrounded us with support. Thank you Bethany for all you have done. We deeply appreciate the prayers, meals, visits and other hands-on help. While I would wish the accident on no one, you have made the recovery easier. Community matters.

A friend, Mark Plunkett, came to see me in the hospital. We talked about the accident and recovery. Mark mentioned that the Bible says we’re never promised tomorrow. I came back saying that I’m not sure we’re even promised the next moment. As I rode six weeks ago, I thought I knew the future: two more days of tax season, a few days to finish loose ends, a week in Mississippi helping rebuild homes damaged by Katrina, then back to Seattle to start a remodeling project for a customer, a summer of activities and bike riding.

All changed in an instant! I questioned God and asked if I did something wrong or my priorities needed changing. The only answer I’ve found is that God’s power is made known in our weaknesses. I recognize that much of my life before the accident was based on strength, good health, job, security, activities, etc. I recognize how little those matter.

I’m trying to live in the now; taking time to be thankful and making time with others important. I hope I can continue this when life returns to something like it was. Not only was my body broken, my spirit and emotions were broken. All of me is healing to something different. Time will tell what that is.

The primary healing power after prayer has been my loving wife, Glyn. She spent days watching over me at Harborview and continues to help in so many ways. Her love and care have sustained me. I’ve experienced the “sickness” part of our marriage vows and seen Glyn’s faithfulness.

By the time you read this, I will be starting to walk again. I look forward to being active at Bethany and in the community by again serving others as you have served us.