Accidents Happen
A Side Hit
I was on my way to a hair appointment. The salon was in an unfamiliar part of town for me. Along the way, I took a wrong turn. When I realized my mistake, I navigated down a main street, hoping to turn around.
Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a light blue vehicle ready to exit into traffic. Since the driver was on the phone, he was distracted and didn’t look in my direction. He pulled out. As he did, he smashed into the passenger side of my car. Startled, but seemingly unhurt, I drove my car into a nearby parking lot.
I felt shaken and stopped for a minute to thank God the accident wasn’t severe. I stepped out of my car to assess the damage. There was a big dent, scratches, and the frame was bent.
We All Make Mistakes
The man who hit me with his vehicle jumped out to first ask if I was okay. I assured him that I didn’t seem to have suffered any physical harm. He then told me he was surprised that I didn’t yell at him. I reminded him that accidents happen and it could very well have been me who made a driving error. I am a mistake maker just like him, after all. He then proceeded to reveal his story.
The driver was in his mid-20’s, and I could tell by his appearance and demeanor that he had made some rough choices in his young life. He told me that he feared losing his license and/or his girlfriend. The vehicle he drove was not his. It was his girlfriend’s not-yet-insured brand new SUV. His girlfriend was at work. He admitted to having a poor driving record and asked if I would lie for him, saying that his girlfriend was the one who hit me, but she needed to leave to get back to work.
God at Work
I empathized with his legitimate fear but told him I wouldn’t lie for him. Being old enough to be his mother, I spoke words to minister to his heart. I said, “God loves you. You are so important to him. Do you know that He never stops thinking about you?”
The young man didn’t quite know how to respond. I continued. “God is going to be there for you and take care of you now matter how this accident turns out. He wants you to know and trust Him.”
I dared to ask the young man if I could pray with him and he agreed. I took his hands in mine and prayed for peace. I thanked God that He was in control and that we could trust Him to provide whatever was needed in the situation. I then asked God if this young man might come to know the love of Jesus.
After that, we made small talk and waited for the police to arrive. When they did, I sat in the shade of a tree while the police officer talked with the young man who promised me he would tell the truth of what happened.
A few minutes passed, and the young man turned to me and ran to me with wide-eyed astonishment, sharing what he heard from the police officer. The details of it escape me now, but what he found out was that his fears wouldn’t be realized.
“See? God has you in His hands,” I assured him. “I’m glad you’re getting to know more about the God of the universe who loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you.”
Small Loss, Big Gain
I never saw the young man again. My car was totaled. God provided a replacement vehicle for me through my insurance. The police officer offered to drive me to my hair appointment. The accident was an inconvenience on that hot Phoenix summer day but the loss for me was not great. The gain for me was that I got to be a small part of watching God woo the heart of a young man who needed a Savior. It happens all of the time but we don’t often notice it.
God, give us eyes to see you at work in our world. Let us be a part of you drawing others to your love and grace.
John 1:48 “Nathanael said to him, ‘How do you know me?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’”