Wednesday, February 13, 2008

How Will They Know Series

John 21:19   “ ….. Follow me!”

 

A Tragedy

 

This morning I was running through Timbercreek with Paul Davis. Paul and I have run together for many years and shared many experiences.  But yesterday’s experience was very sad.  

 

We were running back on Pine Run towards Paul’s house when a man in a white mini-van asked, “Have you seen a small dog?  If you see him this is my address.”   He drove away towards the next cul-de-sac. Obviously, he was methodically searching for his pet.  We ran slightly further when we heard a small dog bark about a block behind us.  Paul and I turned back hoping the dog would come towards us when another car pulled out of the cul-de-sac behind us, driving slowly.   He tragically ran over the dog.   We could hear the bones crush and the cry of the poor creature. 

 

The driver of a white sedan pulled up to us and asked, “What did I do?”  I told him, “Someone had come looking for their dog and I believe you just hit his dog.”   Even though it was dark, the light from the car instruments showed compassion and sorrow on the face of the driver.  He put his head on the steering wheel for a moment.  I looked up and saw the white mini-van coming down the cul-de-sac ahead.  I ran ahead to catch the man. When he stopped I said, “I’m sorry.  I believe this man parked in the street unfortunately just hit your dog.”  The dog’s owner looked heart broken as I told him what happened.   Both men stopped their car and walked back to the dog. 

 

I think about the driver of the car and in my heart remember his pain over his inadvertent act.  In my heart I see his face in the light of the dash as he put his head down on the steering wheel.   He didn’t mean to do it.  He wasn’t doing anything wrong. He said in the early morning fog he couldn’t see the dog. I knew the dog from his bark to be small.  

 

Unfortunately, there has recently been a time in my life when I realized that I, too, had inadvertently hurt someone.   It was never my intention or desire.   But inadvertently, I did cause their hurt.   There is nothing I can do to change that fact because sometimes there is nothing to be done. 

 

When Jesus met Peter again at the Sea of Galilee after his crucifixion, there was this conversation and from my reading, a reconciliation.  Jesus looked at Peter and said, “Follow me.”   I think when we find we have hurt someone or been in a similar situation to the man driving the white sedan, the only answer is for us to more carefully follow Jesus and strive all the more to never inadvertently hurt anyone.   Sometimes in life there is nothing to be done but cry, apologize, dry your eyes, and go on.  

 

Prayer:

Dear God, help me with my life. Amen