God's Faithfulness, Stories I Share

Stories I Share: Amazing Protection

May 9th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox
May 14, 2016

Ten years ago, my son was driving from Missouri to the East Coast to spend time with us before heading to a summer church internship. In Indiana, he had a freak accident. By God’s mercy, while his Subaru was totaled, he walked away without even a bruise. God’s protection and mercy abounded.

The details were lifesaving. The alignment of his car was off. The police officer who responded said a different alignment would have resulted in my son being severely injured or his death, if not the same for others.

The accident occurred before an upcoming merger and clover leaf where the highway would have had more traffic.

The existence of cables instead of a guard rail—or nothing—in the median gradually slowed the car, also protecting my son and others.

The body shop mechanics who looked at the towed car expected my son to have arm burns from the air bag deployment. His thick hoodie protected them.

God’s provision in the aftermath followed his protection

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.  Psalm 121:3-4 (ESV)

God's Faithfulness

Turbulence Ahead Pt.2

May 2nd, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

I fear flying, which is why I was glad that the pilot of my 2024 Boston trip warned me of turbulence. (See here.) If only the pilot of my Boston trip two weeks ago had been as considerate.

Immediately after boarding, I heard a disturbing, loud grinding noise. As it continued, I wondered if the plane was mechanically sound. Grind, grind, grind through takeoff and too many minutes of flight, which included sideways turbulence.

The next day, I encountered a Jet Blue flight attendant. My husband told her about the noise.

We call that plane The Whale. It’s supposed to sound like that.

If only…

Before my first knee surgery, I was not warned about the extreme pain and sleepless nights. My doctor answered subsequent concerns with “That’s normal.” Multiple friends said it took a year for total recovery. The last response my doctor sent about my continued pain was “It hasn’t been a year yet.”

If only…

Last week, I had my second knee surgery. It’s helpful to know there’s turbulence ahead.

I’m glad God warns me.

In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 (ESV)
Worth the flight!
God's Faithfulness

You Have Not Because You Ask Not

April 25th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Ask and it will be given to you...

Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

In September, my husband registered for the April Boston Marathon. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Then, he sprained his ankle. His knee gave out next, and shots weren’t as helpful as hoped. Finally, his hip became painful.

In the Fall, I re-injured my knee. My orthopedist scheduled surgery and said I would recover enough for Boston. I didn’t.

As the date approached, we wondered how it would turn out. One night I suggested, “Let’s pray we have the Best Boston Marathon Ever.”

We adjusted. We substituted Uber for the subway and walking. We skipped activities to rest in our hotel. We soaked in Epsom salts. After the race, we agreed it was the Best Boston Marathon Ever.

It was the only time I was along the Boston course when my husband ran by. I shared the experience with my friend Ella, who assisted me to the area.
My husband ran stronger and with more joy than he had during previous marathons.

When I recounted our answered prayers to my friend Katie, she quoted, “You have not because you ask not.” (James 4:2) A good reminder.

Decisions, Relationships

Planning Ahead

April 18th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring …

James 4: 13-14a

I’m an economist, so I know profits are unpredictable. I don’t depend on economic certainty. However, I wish I had known that as my peers and I age, too much becomes unpredictable. Right now, I have unkept promises to others. You know who you are. Please know you are not forgotten..

I have outstanding invitations to my home. Crises intervened, and when the dust settled, I found myself exhausted. Both an excuse and a reality.

Repeatedly, I announced “This is the year of Christmas card.” It didn’t happen for five years. During that time, two friends passed and three sold their homes, so cards were returned undelivered.

Purchased in 2020. Mailed in 2025

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  

Matthew 6:34 (ESV)

Do not be anxious is familiar.  What I’m learning along the way is Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

God's Faithfulness

Health, Not Condemnation

April 11th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

To the church in Sardis… I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.

Revelation 3: 1-2 (ESV)

I found the admonitions in Revelation harsh and discouraging. However, God gave me a different perspective after knee surgery. Based on friends’ experiences, and on the fact that I swam, biked, and walked my neighborhood with steep hills, I anticipated a manageable recovery. I was wrong. For days, my pain was overwhelming.

My physical fitness was not “complete.” Basic, simple exercises were hard. My physical therapist told me I had weak ankles, which were causing other problems. She assigned specific exercises.

Instead of being discouraged, I was grateful to know my deficiencies. I could work toward health. And I saw that was what God was doing when He gave seven churches their “fitness assessment” in Revelation. His goal was to bring spiritual health. He assigned them exercises.

Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it and repent…

Revelation 3:3a (ESV)