So we’re driving to church, my wife and I, talking of future things, a little late, a little rushed. It is another quiet Sunday morning.
A few blocks from our house we come to an intersection. The light is red. I stop. It changes to green. There are starlings near the curb. I start out slow so as not hit them even though I know they will get out of the way.
Suddenly, there is a blur to my right and I hit the brakes. An SUV comes flying by in front of us, running a VERY late red light.
My wife, shocked at the near miss, states unequivocally, “Well, we almost died.”
She would have anyway. And I very possibly. Our lives, plans for the future, hopes, dreams, could have been changed in the sharp sound of shearing metal and breaking glass.
I was angry at the stupidity of the driver whose one choice could have destroyed several lives, including his own. I was in shock. Afraid of what might have been.
But holding onto my anger keeps me from being grateful for still being alive. Since then I have tried to tell myself that this is my second life, to be more aware of others, to offer grace to myself and the people around me, to be present to starlings. How quickly I forget the preciousness of life.
And also to be more mindful of my driving. To not let the inner rushing clock dictate my speed on the road. To be patient with other drivers. To be kind and considerate. To watch out for the other people on the road. To not be selfish.
It is not easy. But a prayer in thanksgiving for protection from God must go hand in hand with a resolve on my part to be more responsible for my actions on the road. There is plenty of stupidity to go around and I must confess that I too have come close to ruining my life and/or the lives of others by my driving. Many people have not been as fortunate.
Accidents do happen, but I commit myself do what I can to be a Christian driver.
Life is worth it.