Joojin's

God always watches over us

In case anyone is curious: when your rear tire blows out while you’re going around 75 mph on the freeway, you should brace yourself. Your car will spin almost a perfect 360 degrees. Well, that’s what happened to me anyway just couple hours ago.

On my first day back home I decided to go see my sister and some friends in downtown LA. Dinner was mad good. My sister took me to “8-flavors of 삼겹살” and a hipster ice cream parlor called Scoops for desserts. Then I decided to visit some old friends at USC. There, we just drank some wine, ate chips and crackers, watched a movie, and chilled.

On my way back home though… the rear tire of my Camry decided to spontaneously rip itself to shreds on the freeway. It happened when I was going around 75 mph, about half way home on the 91. All of sudden, the car started to rumble. Assuming it was just uneven pavement, I didn’t think much of it. However, a second or two later, I realized the car was shaking uncontrollably. Instinctively, I pressed the brake pedal to slow down the car. Instead of slowing down though, my car did something very unexpected. I heard a loud screech, the smell of burning rubber filled my car, and the car spun out completely.

As the car spun 180 degrees, I saw a wall of headlights in front of me, no doubt speeding towards me at over 70 mph. But before I even had the time to process what just happened, my car continued to spin and screeched to a halt after a complete 360 turn (the car narrowly avoided the freeway median). I clenched my steering wheel for what it felt like minutes while waves of cars just zipped by me. My normal response to this would’ve been “fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck” but much to my own surprise, the first thing that popped into my mind while my car remained motionless in the middle of the freeway was, “Thank you, God.”

I quickly regained focus, busted out the emergency lights, and slowly crawled my way across the freeway to the emergency lane on the right. Once I safely put the car on park, again the only think in my mind was “Thank you. Thank you, God. Thank you God for watching over me.”

Just fyi, this isn’t the first time an accident like this has happened to me. The first time, my rear tire busted on the freeway on my way to work (thankfully the car didn’t spin out that time though). The second time, I was on my way to Berkeley with Charles but the coolant tank busted and a series of unfortunate events led to my brakes failing us while traveling down a mountain (we never made it to Berkeley by the way). I used to think I just have crap luck when it comes to traveling but now I realize I’m actually a very lucky person, having survived three accidents that could’ve potentially turned out very, very badly.

Thank God my sister didn’t sleep through her ringing phone. Thank God my dad didn’t sleep through his ringing phone. Thank God I had 10% battery left on my phone. Thank God my mom didn’t call me to come home early today. Thank God I drank a bit of wine and was forced to stay in LA until much later hours. Thank God I was going back home at 2 AM. Thank God the freeway was practically empty at the time. Thank God there were no cars immediately behind/next to mine. Thank God no one was hurt. Thank God for the wisdom He provided me in changing a spare tire (I had no idea how to change a tire but eventually figured it out). Thank God for spare tires. Thank God my first day back home wasn’t my last. Thank you God for constantly watching over me. Thank you God for my life. Thank you for everything.

Now I’m kinda paranoid to drive myself to Las Vegas for the summer… lol

Laws to abide by

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21

Everyone stressing about finals. Then there’s me:

Hear us from Heaven

Lord, hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord, hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on your name
Would you make this a place
For your glory to dwell

Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to your people
As we draw near
Hear us from heaven
Touch our generation
We are your people
Crying out in desperation