In April I was in a car accident with 3 of the youngest in my van. I was driving down one of the roads I drive down almost every day. Off to the right I noticed that a police officer had pulled someone over for speeding. My knee jerk reaction was to look down at my speedometer to make sure I wasnt' speeding. I wasn't, which I was thankful to see... However when I looked up from the speedometer I realized that the 2 cars in front of me were at a dead stop. The 1st car preparing to turn and the 2nd car waiting for that car to turn. I tried stopping as quickly as I could but it just wasn't quick enough and before I knew it we were rearending them.
All 3 of the kids in the vehicle started crying, more out of fear of what just happened then anything. Once I assessed all of them and saw they were okay, I got out of the van to check on the woman in front of me who still hadn't left her vehicle. She said she was in shock mostly and would probably be feeling most of the aches the following day. (As you we all did, actually the next 2 days...)
When I turned to go back to the van I realized at that point how bad the damage was to our van. As the water from the radiator continued to pour out. I had a feeling at that moment that this was probably the last day the "Brodish Mobile" would make a family outing. (And I was soon to find out this was indeed the case.)
As a result of the accident, my two youngest boys; Evan and Kienan, are dealing with the after effects of this accident. They are overcoming a concussion and the emotional trauma that can affect one through an accident. Its hard for me at times to see how hard it has been for them. Since they really didn't do anything to deserve such turmoil. My 3 year old niece, Bella, bounced back immediately and thankfully is doing great!
As I reflected on that day though, with one of my daughters, I shared how all of this started by one man speeding.
I am not blaming him for my negligence but I do think it is something to think about.
You see often times we do something with out really thinking about how it will effect anyone else. Our actions always have an impact on someone or something either positively or negatively... We just don't always take the time to think it through all of the way. My actions effected many people that day.
I guess my question for you today is... How are you effecting those around you? Are you impacting them in a positive way or a negative way? I could even take it one more step by saying- Are the things you are doing moving others toward Christ or away from Him? I know this may sound profound for some. But it really is worth thinking about. Every single thing you do today- going to the store, driving through town, going to your work place, ministering at church, going to church.... It all has a chain reaction in one way or another... What kind of reaction do you want to have on someone today?
(Proverbs 12:18, 28) (I Corinthians 15:58, 16:13-14)
