Faith in "The Moment"

So for those of you who haven't heard the story, let me share with you something, well, beautiful. And maybe out of it we can all be challenged to go a little deeper, and live a little bigger, this Christmas.
Shelly and Bruce had spent the night in Shipshewana, IN so they could be rested for their big arrival in Grand Rapids. The trip had been long, but pleasant. A few days in the car with anyone can make the best of us a little cranky, but Shelly and Bruce had really enjoyed this trip more than usual. Just North of Three Rivers, MI they stopped at a dollar store. When they got back on the road, it was snowy and icy, but they were under control and on their way. (This section of U.S. 131 is a highway with two lanes in each direction and a grassy median between them, but there are occasional stop lights and driveways.)
Shelly just got off the phone with her mother telling her when they hoped to arrive. Then they noticed a Jeep Liberty on the other side of the road start to loose control. It fishtailed, went into the median, then started to come out - on their side of the road. They saw the other driver trying to gain control, but the two cars were coming together quickly. Shelly said, "this is not going to be good." Bruce tried to turn. They both said, "I love you" and a split second later - the crash.
Now Shelly had been on blood thinners for months. She had been repeatedly warned that any cut could be very dangerous, and a bad wound would be fatal. When the sound, and the confusion, and the air bags had all stopped she knew they were hurt. When she looked down and saw her leg in pieces, she knew it would just be moments before she died. When she heard Bruce breathing hard, and saw all the damage, she was pretty sure he would share her fate.
In that moment - that seemingly final moment - they reached across the car and held hands. They thanked each other for those things only a husband and wife could understand. They said their goodbyes and then they prayed - together - the Our Father. In the middle of all that ugliness, they shared a moment of pure beauty. Then Shelly closed her eyes and waited.
According to Shelly, she was looking forward to Heaven. She wasn't afraid. She expected grassy fields, passed relatives, and especially her son Georgie. Instead, it was Brian - the paramedic. Help had arrived, and it was Brain's job to get her to the hospital - not Heaven. So Brian went to work. And Shelly went to work - she wanted to pray again. And as long as it was Brian, instead of St. Peter, Shelly wanted Brian to join her in prayer. He did. Then God went to work.
A story with that kind of beauty, and drama, is always inspirational. But it seems to me that a story that is also such a beautiful demonstration of faith and love should do more. It should challenge us all to higher level of living.
I'm sure we all will take different things away from this week, but let me tell you how that story has affected me. "Faith" isn't so much about calling out to God when we think it is over. I'm sure a lot of people do that. I see true faith in Shelly's readiness to accept God's will. She thought His plan was to call her home - and she was OK with that. But He hasn't called her yet - and she's OK with that too. It never was about what SHE wanted. Shelly has never once talked this week about what she would prefer, or how she wishes this didn't happen or that did happen. She just keeps on being ready to deal with what she gets. Not because she's strong - but she is. Not because she doesn't care - she does. It's because she trusts her God with all her heart - and she'll go wherever He leads her - even if it looks like "this is not going to be good." And isn't that really the best way to live?