1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,551 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,180 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,471 --> 00:01:19,501 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. Life Audio. 13 00:01:21,580 --> 00:01:25,841 Speaker 2: Welcome friends, loyal listeners, and welcome in. Come on in 14 00:01:25,941 --> 00:01:31,901 Speaker 2: any newcomers to Story Behind Podcast. This is our October 15 00:01:31,981 --> 00:01:36,460 Speaker 2: 28th episode. So we are well into fall where I 16 00:01:36,541 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 2: live and starting to think about the holidays. And I 17 00:01:40,801 --> 00:01:44,771 Speaker 2: hope it's a good time and that you're experiencing some 18 00:01:44,851 --> 00:01:48,931 Speaker 2: nice weather wherever you are for our stories today. Why 19 00:01:49,031 --> 00:01:52,631 Speaker 2: story behind? Because sometimes we need to be reminded that 20 00:01:53,041 --> 00:01:56,361 Speaker 2: the great and good stories that still happen, the Lord 21 00:01:56,401 --> 00:02:00,731 Speaker 2: is still moving behind us. the headlines, behind anything in 22 00:02:00,791 --> 00:02:04,841 Speaker 2: our lives that's not going great. We need to be 23 00:02:04,901 --> 00:02:09,541 Speaker 2: reminded that wonderful things still happen. Miracles are still possible. 24 00:02:10,120 --> 00:02:14,121 Speaker 2: So these are inspiring stories and positive headlines compiled from 25 00:02:14,180 --> 00:02:17,991 Speaker 2: our team at GodTube.com, where you can watch without worry. 26 00:02:18,091 --> 00:02:21,671 Speaker 2: Each of our stories has been curated from a video 27 00:02:21,751 --> 00:02:24,971 Speaker 2: that our team has found online that they think that 28 00:02:25,050 --> 00:02:29,821 Speaker 2: you would find particularly encouraging. My name is Sean McAvoy, 29 00:02:30,060 --> 00:02:33,941 Speaker 2: and I try to not be too familiar with the 30 00:02:33,981 --> 00:02:37,780 Speaker 2: stories that I've picked today because I want to be 31 00:02:37,941 --> 00:02:41,911 Speaker 2: just as moved and surprised as you are when you 32 00:02:42,011 --> 00:02:45,101 Speaker 2: hear them for the first time. So with that in mind, 33 00:02:45,321 --> 00:02:50,691 Speaker 2: I've picked a couple stories today about almosts and how 34 00:02:50,751 --> 00:02:54,011 Speaker 2: that is such an amazing thing that those moments where 35 00:02:54,091 --> 00:02:58,121 Speaker 2: tragedy happens is averted and you can only look and say, wow, 36 00:02:58,161 --> 00:03:02,241 Speaker 2: the Lord must have been involved in that situation. So 37 00:03:02,421 --> 00:03:04,900 Speaker 2: maybe think of some of those things in your life 38 00:03:04,981 --> 00:03:07,991 Speaker 2: and maybe even some moments that you weren't even aware 39 00:03:08,031 --> 00:03:11,151 Speaker 2: of how close you came to something tragic, but it 40 00:03:11,231 --> 00:03:14,671 Speaker 2: was averted. So I'll be back in just a minute 41 00:03:14,791 --> 00:03:26,751 Speaker 2: after I refill the coffee mug with those stories. Our 42 00:03:26,831 --> 00:03:32,421 Speaker 2: first story today is from Michaela Gordona. This is about 43 00:03:32,461 --> 00:03:36,561 Speaker 2: a father of four who survived a life-threatening accident after 44 00:03:36,701 --> 00:03:41,841 Speaker 2: a tree branch nearly reached his brain. A New Jersey 45 00:03:41,881 --> 00:03:45,541 Speaker 2: man got impaled by a tree branch that went under 46 00:03:45,581 --> 00:03:48,461 Speaker 2: his jaw and all the way up to his brain. 47 00:03:49,531 --> 00:03:54,651 Speaker 2: It was nearly 12 centimeters long, but miraculously, he has 48 00:03:54,911 --> 00:03:59,851 Speaker 2: no long-term damage. Troy Hathaway had been trimming trees in 49 00:03:59,891 --> 00:04:03,791 Speaker 2: his backyard when his ladder suddenly gave way. He fell 50 00:04:03,831 --> 00:04:07,631 Speaker 2: about eight feet, taking a branch down with him, through 51 00:04:07,671 --> 00:04:12,601 Speaker 2: his jaw. The branch went up behind his eye, but 52 00:04:12,641 --> 00:04:15,661 Speaker 2: he didn't know it at the time. He was still conscious, 53 00:04:16,841 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 2: and just thought his jaw might be broken. His wife, 54 00:04:20,481 --> 00:04:24,231 Speaker 2: a physician's assistant, drove him to the hospital. There they 55 00:04:24,251 --> 00:04:28,611 Speaker 2: learned how big the branch was. That's the first time 56 00:04:28,890 --> 00:04:31,751 Speaker 2: that I saw a slight reaction from my wife, Troy recalled. 57 00:04:32,630 --> 00:04:35,130 Speaker 2: That was just a very quick hand up towards her 58 00:04:35,171 --> 00:04:38,670 Speaker 2: mouth in shock that it was as bad as it was. 59 00:04:40,451 --> 00:04:43,201 Speaker 2: He needed a team of specialists to help him, and quickly. 60 00:04:44,341 --> 00:04:48,621 Speaker 2: An off-duty neurosurgeon and an ENT skull-based surgeon were called 61 00:04:48,681 --> 00:04:52,121 Speaker 2: in to help. They were able to operate on Troy 62 00:04:52,140 --> 00:04:56,690 Speaker 2: through his nose and through his lower cheek. After reviewing 63 00:04:56,791 --> 00:05:00,311 Speaker 2: his CT scans, we recognized that this was an extremely 64 00:05:00,371 --> 00:05:06,241 Speaker 2: delicate and potentially life-threatening situation, the neurosurgeon said, where any 65 00:05:06,281 --> 00:05:09,501 Speaker 2: misstep during the removal of the branch could cause devastating bleeding, 66 00:05:10,261 --> 00:05:17,111 Speaker 2: brain injury, vision loss, or serious infection. But Troy believes that, quote, 67 00:05:17,291 --> 00:05:21,511 Speaker 2: someone was looking out for him because he came so 68 00:05:21,571 --> 00:05:26,571 Speaker 2: close to crucial injuries. Right now, His brain, breathing, and 69 00:05:26,690 --> 00:05:33,921 Speaker 2: eyesight are funny. His youngest child, four-year-old Sophie, thinks, Daddy 70 00:05:33,961 --> 00:05:37,260 Speaker 2: had a twig in his face. For now, they think 71 00:05:37,301 --> 00:05:39,541 Speaker 2: that's best. She doesn't need to know how bad it 72 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:43,431 Speaker 2: could have been. Troy is just grateful to be alive. 73 00:05:44,531 --> 00:05:47,411 Speaker 2: Such a rare thing that happened to him, and we're 74 00:05:47,611 --> 00:05:52,491 Speaker 2: all just glad that he's going to be okay. I 75 00:05:52,531 --> 00:05:55,431 Speaker 2: can't help but be reminded of one of my Favorite 76 00:05:55,471 --> 00:06:01,331 Speaker 2: Bible Stories. This from part of it in Acts 16, 27-34. 77 00:06:02,091 --> 00:06:04,251 Speaker 2: The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison 78 00:06:04,291 --> 00:06:07,671 Speaker 2: doors open, he drew his sword and was about to 79 00:06:07,690 --> 00:06:11,351 Speaker 2: kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But 80 00:06:11,371 --> 00:06:15,751 Speaker 2: Paul shouted, Don't harm yourself. We are all here. The 81 00:06:15,791 --> 00:06:19,281 Speaker 2: jailer called for lights, rushed in, and felt trembling before 82 00:06:19,371 --> 00:06:22,901 Speaker 2: Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, 83 00:06:23,891 --> 00:06:27,351 Speaker 2: What must I do to be saved? They replied, Believe 84 00:06:27,371 --> 00:06:29,471 Speaker 2: in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you 85 00:06:29,651 --> 00:06:33,371 Speaker 2: and your household. Then they spoke the word of the 86 00:06:33,411 --> 00:06:35,900 Speaker 2: Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 87 00:06:37,321 --> 00:06:39,221 Speaker 2: At that hour of the night, the jailer took them 88 00:06:39,841 --> 00:06:43,061 Speaker 2: and washed their wounds. Then immediately he and all his 89 00:06:43,121 --> 00:06:47,241 Speaker 2: household were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house 90 00:06:47,281 --> 00:06:49,521 Speaker 2: and set a meal before them. He was filled with 91 00:06:49,601 --> 00:06:52,301 Speaker 2: joy because he had come to believe in God. 92 00:06:52,321 --> 00:06:53,380 Speaker 1: He believed. 93 00:06:54,091 --> 00:06:59,091 Speaker 2: And his whole household. While you think on that, I'll 94 00:06:59,111 --> 00:07:01,710 Speaker 2: be back in just a minute with our second story 95 00:07:01,951 --> 00:07:13,801 Speaker 2: of this episode. All right, welcome back to our second 96 00:07:13,881 --> 00:07:18,401 Speaker 2: episode on Story Behind Today. I especially love this one 97 00:07:19,101 --> 00:07:22,691 Speaker 2: about a heroic young lady, This is brought to us 98 00:07:22,751 --> 00:07:26,831 Speaker 2: from Michaela Gordonei, and it is about a nine-year-old Girl 99 00:07:26,871 --> 00:07:30,691 Speaker 2: Scout who was honored for quick thinking during a house fire. 100 00:07:32,721 --> 00:07:36,061 Speaker 2: An Iowa Girl Scout saved her family in a house fire, 101 00:07:36,621 --> 00:07:40,621 Speaker 2: and it's all thanks to her Girl Scout training. Nine-year-old 102 00:07:40,721 --> 00:07:44,081 Speaker 2: Chloe Keeling saved her whole family and their six pets 103 00:07:44,661 --> 00:07:48,241 Speaker 2: when their home caught fire. To recognize her efforts, her 104 00:07:48,281 --> 00:07:51,541 Speaker 2: Girl Scouts gave her the highest honor they could. the 105 00:07:51,581 --> 00:07:58,861 Speaker 2: Bronze Cross. Since 1913, only 25 people, including young Chloe, 106 00:07:59,901 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: have ever been given this national award. When the fire 107 00:08:04,221 --> 00:08:08,161 Speaker 2: broke out in her bedroom, everyone was asleep and Chloe 108 00:08:08,201 --> 00:08:12,521 Speaker 2: was calm. She explained what was happening and instructed her 109 00:08:12,581 --> 00:08:16,681 Speaker 2: parents on what to do. She was like, grab bandit, 110 00:08:16,961 --> 00:08:21,421 Speaker 2: do this, do that, her mother, Nikki Whitney, said. I 111 00:08:21,471 --> 00:08:24,451 Speaker 2: can't even tell you what all she said, because we 112 00:08:24,471 --> 00:08:27,871 Speaker 2: just did it. We filed out, and as we were 113 00:08:27,911 --> 00:08:33,431 Speaker 2: filing out, then the alarms started going off. Chloe learned 114 00:08:33,471 --> 00:08:37,170 Speaker 2: about fire safety when a firefighter visited their troop one day. 115 00:08:38,211 --> 00:08:42,631 Speaker 2: The firefighter, John Kerr, was blown away that Chloe listened 116 00:08:42,651 --> 00:08:45,570 Speaker 2: to what he had to say and later applied it 117 00:08:45,731 --> 00:08:50,371 Speaker 2: in action. In order to qualify for the Bronze Cross, 118 00:08:50,951 --> 00:08:55,191 Speaker 2: a Girl Scout, must have saved another person's life, quote, 119 00:08:55,751 --> 00:08:59,991 Speaker 2: under circumstances that indicate heroism or risk to their own lives, 120 00:09:00,911 --> 00:09:03,991 Speaker 2: and who have performed heroic acts beyond the degree of 121 00:09:04,050 --> 00:09:08,771 Speaker 2: maturity and training to be expected at their age. Sadly, 122 00:09:09,011 --> 00:09:13,530 Speaker 2: Chloe and her family lost most of their belongings, including 123 00:09:13,601 --> 00:09:18,341 Speaker 2: her Girl Scout sash in the fire. At a surprise ceremony, 124 00:09:18,401 --> 00:09:21,301 Speaker 2: her troop gave her a brand new sash, with the 125 00:09:21,361 --> 00:09:26,810 Speaker 2: award pinned to it. This situation shows how important it 126 00:09:26,951 --> 00:09:30,290 Speaker 2: is that children know what to do in an emergency. 127 00:09:31,431 --> 00:09:37,391 Speaker 2: Without Chloe's awareness, calmness, and quick thinking, her family's story 128 00:09:37,431 --> 00:09:41,910 Speaker 2: could have been different. I can't help but think of 129 00:09:41,971 --> 00:09:47,381 Speaker 2: John 14, 27. Peace I leave with you. My peace 130 00:09:47,441 --> 00:09:50,861 Speaker 2: I give to you. Not as the world gives, give 131 00:09:50,941 --> 00:09:55,101 Speaker 2: I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither 132 00:09:56,141 --> 00:10:01,831 Speaker 2: let it be afraid. John 14, 27. Chloe had peace 133 00:10:02,410 --> 00:10:05,810 Speaker 2: and no fear and was not even troubled in the 134 00:10:05,851 --> 00:10:11,611 Speaker 2: midst of true fire. And that is what Christ says 135 00:10:11,711 --> 00:10:17,071 Speaker 2: he gives to us. Let us remember that today and 136 00:10:17,091 --> 00:10:22,151 Speaker 2: these stories today. of crises averted, even as we may 137 00:10:22,191 --> 00:10:26,111 Speaker 2: be going through crises ourselves, let's not forget the ways 138 00:10:26,151 --> 00:10:29,511 Speaker 2: God is moving in the world and always be aware 139 00:10:29,530 --> 00:10:33,821 Speaker 2: of wonder and possibility. That is what hope is. Hope 140 00:10:33,881 --> 00:10:37,820 Speaker 2: would have no need of existing if everything was perfect. 141 00:10:38,331 --> 00:10:38,831 Speaker 1: All the time. 142 00:10:40,011 --> 00:10:44,391 Speaker 2: Remember that. Perfect hope does not disappoint. And with that 143 00:10:44,431 --> 00:10:48,361 Speaker 2: in mind, we hope to see you again next time 144 00:10:49,401 --> 00:10:55,741 Speaker 2: on Story Behind. Thanks for listening to this episode. I 145 00:10:55,780 --> 00:10:58,811 Speaker 2: hope today's stories reminded you of the ways God is 146 00:10:58,861 --> 00:11:02,771 Speaker 2: still moving in the world around us. Visit the links 147 00:11:02,891 --> 00:11:05,971 Speaker 2: in the show notes to find the original articles, photos, videos, 148 00:11:06,051 --> 00:11:09,670 Speaker 2: and any resources mentioned in today's episode on the God 149 00:11:09,751 --> 00:11:14,531 Speaker 2: Updates blog at Godatube.com. If you enjoyed this story, be 150 00:11:14,571 --> 00:11:17,331 Speaker 2: sure to follow Story Behind wherever you listen to podcasts 151 00:11:17,891 --> 00:11:20,341 Speaker 2: and share it with someone who could use a little encouragement. 152 00:11:21,521 --> 00:11:25,931 Speaker 2: Story Behind is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, 153 00:11:25,951 --> 00:11:30,651 Speaker 2: visit lifeaudio.com. I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me, 154 00:11:31,271 --> 00:11:34,401 Speaker 2: and we'll see you next time on Story Behind.