All of a sudden, just before impact, the truck cut into the median and the backend went skidding away from me. Black tire marks stretched down the road before me, and the smell of burnt rubber filled the air.
God had intervened!
Have you ever slammed on brakes to get someone off of your bumper because you were mad, and they were too close? After I tell you this story you might just reconsider.
It was 2002, and I had been to see my mother. I was driving during rush hour. Our boys were in the back seat. My van had no air bags.
A transfer truck pulled into my lane. I let my foot off the gas, and started building some distance between this truck and me. The next thing I knew, he slammed on brakes. I remember thinking that I would probably bury the front end of the van all the way up to the windshield under the backend of his truck. I was grateful the boys were in the backseat.
As my van got closer and closer to his truck I continued to mash the break as hard as I could. I kept thinking to myself, “I cannot get any closer.” Nevertheless, the gap was closing moment-by-moment between this truck and me. Then suddenly, praise God, the backend went skidding away from me.
If God had not intervened, I would not be here today.
I can only guess that the vehicle in front of the truck did something. Maybe the truck was too close for comfort, and they hit their brakes. I don’t know. Maybe the driver got ill. Someone else checked on him, and I called for help. Whatever happened, he brought that truck to an immediate stop. I was not tailgating, but I would have hit the backend extremely hard had it not moved out of the way when it did.
I know folks can make you mad when you are driving. I am sure that when folks tailgate me, and I slow down that it rattles them. All I can think of is what if I have to hit the brakes? What happens to them?
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Colossians 3:23
If you have a problem with road rage, I encourage you to remember that even your driving can be done as unto the Lord. Also remember that folks sometimes make big mistakes when they are driving. They get in a hurry to pick up that child or meet that loved one. They may be late for work. They may accidentally cut you off. Give that person the benefit of the doubt.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:11-12
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Titus 1:2
Today’s challenge is to not give in to road rage. Be patient with the other driver. Remember whatever they did, they may not have even realized they did it. However, even if they know what they have done, we need to love one anther. Extend love to this other person by letting it go.