Episode S3E23 (127): Hal’s Story – My Bike Wreck and “I’m Back”

Seven weeks ago Hal had a serious bike wreck and needed surgery. In this new podcast listen to Hal share the story of his bike wreck and recovery. He is back on his feet now and pressing on again in serving God and Finishing Well Ministries. Life can bring many kinds of unanticipated events that will sideline us, but God is good, and He is always working out His purposes in our lives.

Transcript

Seth Muse: 0:03

Welcome to the finishing wealth podcast where we encourage seasoned believers to find meaningful ways to impact their world for the kingdom of God. Whether you're 65 and up are not quite there yet, everyone can begin preparing to finish well. Now, here's your host Randy has with the founder of finishing well, ministries how habecker

Dr Hal Habecker: 0:25

Welcome to the finishing well podcast. My name is Howie habecker. And I'm here with my wife, Vicki today. We're sitting in for Randy Hess. And but but I want to give you an update on me. Most all of you have heard back in early May, that I had a bicycle wreck. But I want to tell everybody, I'm back. I'm healing well, I'm on a cane, graduated to that. I'm almost ready that but still a process of healing. But I want to tell you a short story about how this all happened and what it means to me personally. And I would like my wife to jump in. I had a picture. She's sitting here right across from me. We were riding together I was with one of my best friends, Steve Parrish. And we were writing together on May the 14th. It was a Tuesday. Actually, it's seven weeks from today when we're recording this. And we're heading north on a trail out of White Rock Lake. And we came across a curve in the road. It's a paved trail. But we had Dallas had recently had heavy rains and the heavy rains had just left a bunch of rubbish mudstone sticks on a curve in the road, it was a low low spot. And we got there and your bicycle couldn't go through that. And Steve was ahead of me. And he got through and it threw him off and he fell on the right side, there was a guy coming towards me, there was a little area on the left side of the trail that you could get through easier. So I slowed down for him to go. And then when he went by my bicycle had already stopped. And by the time I started pedaling, I was in the midst of all these stones and sticks and mud and my bicycle came to an absolute stop. But I have those cleats that my shoes are in. And I found myself coming to an abrupt stop. And I could not get my shoes out of the pedals. And all this is flashing through my mind and a split second. And I say, you know, this is no good. And I immediately fell over to my left and landed right on my left hip force, I broke my hip. And I laid there for 35 minutes, Steve had to call the ambulance and we figured out how they could get there. So it was 35 minutes, I had to lay there in pain, waiting for all this to happen. We talked a little bit the ambulance got there, Steve had called my wife Vicki, called Bethany, our daughter and we went to Baylor hospital downtown. As the ambulance came, there's a lot of good things in this. I remember falling and thinking God, how are you going to use this injury? Because I was in pain? I was in severe pain. How are you going to use this injury? For your for me, for all those who know us. I mean, I think it's part of transitions and accidents and things that happen in life. How's God good to use them. And I remember thinking as I was laying there in the ground, how God might use this in my life, and trusting Him, and in a sense even thanking him. So just a little God picture there, the ambulance crew came to guys EMTs got out, and they gave me a shot to numb the pain. And again, I can't tell you how excruciating the pain was. And then they're gonna pick me up. And in the meantime, Steve is talking to these guys telling them a little bit about me and how I went to Dallas Seminary, and pastored a church out in North Dallas. And the one EMT looked at me and Steven said, I know this guy. I attended your church years ago and he was a pastor. And I went to Dallas. He said I'd never graduated because, you know, I had to take care of my family. But God put us together and he encouraged us in a great way. It just kind of reinforced the idea that God is sheltering this whole process. We went to the hospital on our daughter was there and got evaluated etc. And before the EMT, the ambulance pulled out of the ambulance bay that day. He came into the room where we all were. And he said, How I want to pray with you before we go. So here we are in this Oh, er room, nurses, physicians staff all around and he said I want to lead all of us in prayer. So we grabbed hands around the room, and I'll never forget the prayer he prayed just a prayer some Have a prayer of God be with this guy, restore his health, and use this for your honor and your glory. And then they were gone. Now I did catch his name. And I know what Firestation he works at. So sometimes I want to go by his station, and meet him and fill him in on this. A couple of things just stand out about this. And then Vicki, if you have any questions, I'd love for you to jump in. You know, there were Christians scattered throughout this whole thing in the hospital, had a Christian nurse who was just so encouraging everybody there and people came to visit, I mean, we must have had 13 people in the room, you know, people were there before surgery. So we were surrounded both of us by close friends, who prayed for us who worked with us and supported us. And it's a gift. I mean, I think one of the things about the body of Christ, you really see it in action when you have problems, and people surround you, and they say, we're in it with you, we're praying for you. It makes a huge difference. And so today, you know, at seven weeks later, I have a chance to reflect back on all of this, and just see the hand of God in it. A couple of things that I want to stand that stand out to me. Number one, God always knows what's coming. I had no idea what happened that day. But for really five weeks, I was kind of sidelined. The last two weeks, I've gotten back in the groove. And I think this is the first week I feel somewhat normal. But God had other people there to fill in the blanks. And you know, none of us are absolutely essential to what God does, you know, we have a few good years, and then we'll transition and somebody else will take our place. I mean, none of us are indispensable to the kingdom of God. So finish well ministries are all wrong podcasts role wrong. Chip, Mansfield kept putting stuff out there. I mean, we generated a community that God led through others, and it wasn't through me. And then that's a great lesson. I mean, our most significant things is, is to abide in Jesus. And that's what I felt during these five weeks. You know, Jesus wants us to be with him, and trust Him and depend upon him. It's not in our doing of stuff. You know, God's Kingdom is going to be furthered according to His timing, not, not on the basis of our works. Just like our salvation doesn't depend on us, nor does his kingdom depend on us. He uses us, but he doesn't depend on us. So if you're out there, you're struggling with an issue. It's an accident, you have an illness or whatever. Remember, God's in charge, and he's using who you are. It with him for his purposes, and he's going to have others pick up the pace. Those are the main highlights for me and think about the accident. A couple other things to reflect on. But before I do that, Vicki, you have any thoughts? You want to jump in with me?

Vicki Habecker: 8:05

You mentioned our daughter being at the hospital, Bethany, our daughter is an emergency room nurse at downtown Baylor. And she was barking orders. And in control. She had called she wasn't working that day that she had called down there. And she had almost a red carpet laid out when an ambulance got there. And it was great. One of the things, it was so hard watching how in so much pain, but it was so awesome watch watching our daughter do what she's been trained to do. And seriously, she was she was a rock star that day, and she was telling the other nurses and physicians and X ray techs, I don't like the way you're doing this. And they said, This is our patient. And she said but this is my daddy. So some listen to us. That's one of the things that I remember that was a good kind of a God when the other one this is just a personal story for me. The first night that you were in so much pain, hell and we need the surgery wasn't going to be to the next day. And I thought they're going to drug him tonight. I'm going home and getting a good night's sleep. So we prayed and I kissed you and I walked out side and I had no clue where I had parked my car early that morning. I mean, no clue, and knew it had to be either this garage or the one right next door to it. So I walked into the first garage, and I had my clicker for my car in my hand and I thought I'm just gonna walk level one and just click and see if I hear a little beep beep nothing on level one. So I walked all of level two. Nothing about okay must be the other Grodd came back down walk to the other garage did The same thing at level one, level two, nothing. And I knew I hadn't gone any higher than that. So I walked back out and Baylor Hospital has their own police department and I saw a gentleman sitting in his car said, Baylor University Medical Center police. So his window was down. I walked up to him. And I said, Sir, I have no idea where my car is. He said, Ma'am, this happens to me all the time. He said, Where's your ticket lesson? They said, in the car ride in the car. And I said, this place is so big. I said, I used to work here. And my daughter is an emergency room nurse here. But she's already left for the night. And he stopped me. He said, Who's your daughter? And I said, Bethany Edmondson. He said, she's one of my faves hop in the car, we'll find your car. So Butch became my best friend that. So that was another little God wink. I guess. God said, I got this on your car. That's

Dr Hal Habecker: 11:02

what we had those all throughout it, it's really special to think about that. Yeah, just seeing your daughter in action. And working on your behalf. You don't see that all the time. But we had an up close and personal row seat. And it was great. And God led in the surgeon who did the surgery the next day, just everything that happened was really special, really moment. So a few things. But let me reflect on this. You know, trusting God in situations that are beyond your control. I mean, that's, that's a significant thing, and an accident, or an illness or something that happens, will I trust God, I'm laying there in the ground waiting for the ambulance. And I'm thinking that, like the things I'm thankful it wasn't a car that hit me, it wasn't a head injury. I mean, God is working, he surrounds us, He protects us. I can't emphasize enough, when God sits us down in a sense, and we can't do what we wish we could do. The most important thing I think, is the understanding that God wants my heart with is, and he's not concerned about my doing. He's concerned about my being the relationship is so much more important. I'm reading a book by John Erickson Tata on this very subject. And she talks about the this, the importance of her relationship with Jesus, and that that's the prime priority of all of our life. He brought people there. Throughout this circumstance, to help us to encourage us, you know, we need to be reminded about that sometimes we don't take people as seriously as we should. And when we're broken down and need help, other people are there. They're the body of Christ to help us.

Vicki Habecker: 12:54

And I think we are hesitant sometimes to ask for help. Because that shows maybe a weakness. And I know, I thought, I've got to step to the plate. I've got to now take care of the yard. I've got to take care of the pool. I've got to take out the trash. I've got to do the stuff that you normally did. And it was kind of embarrassing. And praise God. People started saying, I'm going to mow your yard. I'm going to clean your pool. My daughter set up a meal train for us. I don't have to cook per weeks.

Dr Hal Habecker: 13:32

And it was our daughter in California and she was able to set it up from out there because she couldn't be here with us. And she wanted to be a part of this whole process.

Vicki Habecker: 13:41

I think one of the sweetest things though, if I can tell this would probably been is our youngest grandson. The night was at the night of the accident or the night of this surgery. Our daughter and her husband and two kids came up to the hospital and say we're about to leave sweet little seven year old read on post climbed in the bed with you. And you know kids can pray that thank you Jesus that my papa was not heard and help him to get to know this child talk to God Almighty. Like I've never heard a seven year old. They got home that night. And everybody was getting ready for bed. told his mom and dad can we get dressed and go back pit hospital because how many Tell Papa match are loving the y'all you can't make that kind of stuff up. That was just God pouring blessing after blessing after blessing but I am going to say you're not getting on a bicycle for a long time. Okay. And I

Dr Hal Habecker: 14:56

love it. I love it this special. Vicki, let me put you on Spend a little bit further on this, you're a part of this story as well. I mean, you weren't expecting this, you were totally surprised it changed your whole life. And I became really dependent on you. And of course, you said, you know, the law and everything else, and God did provide other people, but your life really changed for the last five weeks.

Vicki Habecker: 15:24

I was not used to being with you 24/7. And those in our audience, especially the women may understand that, and I was a caregiver trying to be I'm a retired physical therapist, I was trying to tell him what to do and what not to do. But yet, just my whole world got real small, because we were together in our little house 24/7. And it was almost to the point where, when people would want to come in, visit and encourage, I was like, Don't, don't, I have so much spinning in my head and going on. That sounds horrible. But I didn't want people to come visit. I didn't mean that. But I was I was overwhelmed. I'm just gonna say this first few weeks, and just in the last two weeks now that you're up in mobile a little bit more and actually dropping, which you shouldn't make you feel some of that pressure. Releasing, but yeah, it's been it's been a hard journey for both of us. You physically but also you mentally you've gone through some some depression oriented days and weeks, and I think I have to

Dr Hal Habecker: 16:50

couple of things to shoot for kind of wrapping this story up a little bit. You know, some, the recovery is up and down, you know, even some days, but it's like the old adage, three steps forward, two steps backwards, on which day you're going backwards, you feel, golly, it's gonna take longer than I wished. But all in all, you do see progress over the long haul, you know, even just a simple thing yesterday, I could not stand on my left leg all by myself. Today I can. I mean, the the therapy that we're doing the outpatient therapy is making a huge difference. But it points to the the importance of perseverance in life. You know, what is it that God wants you to be? Well, I will I persevere at being with him. I mean it in him and resting in Him. And that takes a deliberate pursuit. I mean, you don't just close your eyes and say, I'm with Jesus. I mean, your your heart may be wildly going somewhere else, and you're not content with who Jesus is in your life right now. So it's important to persevere on that issue. It's important to persevere and your, your discipline, so your exercises, you know, being faithful to go to therapy every week. I mean, it's important. I mean, those are disciplines that are true in all of life. I think that's how you learn excellence. You practice the basics. Two verses that really stand out to me, other verses that are Hallmark verses of my life, but you apply them when you have an accident, you apply them in an illness, you apply them when you're sick. I mean, when things slow you down, I think of Second Corinthians 214, where the apostle Paul says, But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ Jesus, and manifest through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. I mean, that's an incredible verse. So through my accident, through my pain, through my roof, this whole restoration process, God is leading me in triumph. So whatever trial you're going through out there, I mean, you listen to that set Corinthians 214. God is working something triumphantly out in your life. And with all those other people around you mean they're encouraged by you and you encourage them. And then the other verse, it's Second Corinthians four, verse 16. Paul says, No, a second Corinthians 416. But therefore we are not we do not lose heart. Though our outer man is deteriorating or declining. Our inner man is growing day by day. So though we have physical challenges that debilitate us, we don't lose heart, because God is doing something he eternally. And I remember that sitting, laying on that side of the trail, God is going to do something in my life. He does it through illness, He does it through hardship. He does it every time. And that's his trademark. You know, for us as Christians, it's the cross. The cross is the central image. And it's an issue of suffering for Jesus and our suffering, whatever it is, that is where Jesus is maximized in my life. So those are the kinds of things and I, my prayer would be for all of you out there, who listen and are going through various trials of your own that, you know, let's, let's throw our weight in and trust Jesus, let's abide with him. Let's let Him lead us and let's let the body of Christ help us. And that's the journey of aging, as our as we age and our body weakens, in a sense, the more trials come, but we're thrilled to be there because God is working. Like Paul said, For me to, for me to live as Christ and to die as me. So that's in short, my story, our story, and thanks for listening, and we're at finishing well ministries, check us out on our podcast, go to our website and pray for us as we challenge and encourage an older generation to step up and trust God in these critically important years of our life. So thanks and God bless

Seth Muse: 21:34

Thank you for listening to the finishing Welch podcast. We hope you're encouraged by today's conversation to continue living out your God given purpose. Subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts or you can find us at finishing well ministries dot O R G slash podcast. And don't forget to follow us on social media at finishing well ministries. We'll see you next time