Jason exits the hospital and walks to his car, a little red sports car that his wife Stacy surprised him with last year. He climbs into the car and starts the engine as he thinks about his grandfather inside the hospital, fighting for his life right now. Jason is very pre-occupied as he backs out of the parking space and begins his long trip home.
Tony and his wife Carol thank the Messners for hosting the weekly Bible study at their home as they walk to their car. They feel relaxed and at peace after they leave the study each week, as it is a time they set aside to push aside the troubles of the world, the stress at work and just focus on the word. Tony starts the truck and sits for a few moments as the air conditioner cools down the cab, then he turns around and heads for the expressway for the short drive back to their home. Tony and Carol discuss a family that the group prayed for that are out of work and in danger of losing their home, and they both agree that they can afford to pitch in monetarily to help them out. Tony is happy inside as he pulls onto the freeway, happy that he has been blessed to the point that he can help others who are in need.
Jason is driving in the left high speed lane as he drives toward home. He is doing sixty five and is on cruise control as he stares blankly out the windshield, thinking of his granddad, and all the great times they have shared. The heart attack came out of no-where, Gramps is a healthy guy, in his mid sixty’s he still works out regularly, rides his bike long distances, and has no bad habits. He was the poster child of the healthy and fit senior, then wham, he drops to the ground while changing a light bulb.
Jason reflects on the many trout fishing trips gramps took him on and how it was gramps who taught him to put a worm on a hook, how to fly fish a stream, how to change his oil, and how to do a brake job. Gramps was the one who coached him on how to ask Stacy out on their first date and had been the one who gave him the best advice on how to figure out women in general. Gramps has a passion for reading the Bible too, and had passed that passion on to Jason, he was also the one who best explained the importance of having a relationship with the Lord. All this, and Gramps is in the hospital on life support and a low probability of recovery. Jason always figured Gramps would be around until he was ninety because he was to tough. He thought of Grandma by his side, sadness etched on her face as she held his hand constantly and talked to him lovingly, not knowing if he could hear her. It had been three days now, “we should have a better idea by the end of the week” the doctor had said this afternoon. All of this on his mind as Jason blindly drives toward home.
It is now dusk as Tony drives in the middle lane of the freeway towards home, he does not yet have his headlights on as he and Carol talk about their youngest son, who is a freshman in college. Carol is annoyed that he can’t seem to find the time to call regularly, unless of course he needs some money, but his two brothers were basically the same. They decide that while annoying, it is just the way kids his age are at that age, and try not to take it too personal.
Jason prays as he drives home, he is praying for his Gramps to recover and live a long life. He wants his son to know gramps and to get some of the same life lessons he has gleaned from the wise older man. Stacy is pregnant with their first child, and they already know it will be a boy, they have already decided to name him after Gramps. Jason just hopes he will be around so that he will know he is being honored. Oops, Jason hasn’t been paying attention and realizes the next exit is his and looks in the side view mirror and does not see anyone, so he changes lanes quickly without his blinker. A loud horn sounds as he looks in the rear view mirror and sees a pickup behind him with no lights on that he apparently missed. He blanches that he cut the truck off and raises his hand in a wave of reconciliation as he crosses over into the far right lane, again without the blinker. He feels bad, but he didn’t mean to do it, he has a lot on his mind and was not focusing on what he was doing. He pays closer attention as he prepares to exit the freeway.
“You Stupid Idiot” Tony yells at the top of his lungs. Tony is furious, this little red sports car just cut him off and he had to slam on his brakes to keep from hitting the guy. He is probably some rich guy who thinks he owns the road in his little expensive sports car. Jerks like this make it dangerous for everyone these days’, he is probably drunk too Tony thinks as he stares intently at the small back window of the car. He can see the man’s hand up and decides the guy is flipping him off. That’s it, he steps on the gas and speeds up as his wife utters a cautionary “Tony, don’t do this”. He begins to pull up alongside of the little sports car, determined to give the guy his dirtiest look and let him know he doesn’t appreciate it one bit. As he gains on the little car, again Carol says “Tony, please don’t do this”, but Tony isn’t listening to her this time, he is a man on a mission. As he pulls beside the little car, the man driving it looks up, fear clearly evident on his face. He is a young man and he looks vaguely familiar as Tony gives his most hateful face. The young man turns and looks at Tony, and Carol sucks in a sudden breath when she recognizes him, she looks over at Tony, then back at the young man, and slowly waves to him. The anger slides off of Tonys face and is replaced with shame as he slowly raises his hand and begins to wave at their young youth pastor at church. Tony knew he was not a jerk, he had been great with their youngest son, a great example of Christianity, wise beyond his years. Oh how embarrassed Tony was as he let off the gas and backed off as the young man exited, how wrong he had been by jumping to conclusions.
Jason exited the freeway, embarrassed that he had angered someone so bad, much less a brother. He decided he needed to keep his mind on what he is doing. Just then his cell phone rings as he pull to a stop at the red light. It is his mom, she tells him Grandpa just woke up as his heart surges with joy, it looks like he is going to make it after all. Matthew 5:22 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,[c]‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
We never know what trial someone else is enduring, as Christians we are called to show compassion. Everyone deserves a break now and then.
God Bless
JFT
This story is fiction, written to illustrate a point.
Jim, I love your fiction! Sometimes an illustration such as this can make a bigger impact and be more memorable than just saying “we are called to show compassion to others.” You are exactly right that we never know what trials another is going through that impacts their actions, or how they are feeling about what they have done. To put yourself in someone else’s shoes is a challenge, but so important to truly be compassionate. Peace, Linda
Thanks Linda,
I seem to learn things the hard way, and have repeatedly found my foot in my mouth. I have found myself getting angered by other peoples driving before, and then waving in apology when I make a mistake. Compassion, we all need it. God Bless
Jim
How I wish I had thought ahead of time to see if you would want to join a writing project over at Folded Word Press. Simply because you have such a gift for stories that have deeper impact than just entertainment.
And, as for this one, it fits so into what God is talking to me about this week . . .grace. Lots of grace. He gives it in abundance and I need to too! God bless you and thank you for taking the time to show us what compassion and living real for Jesus looks like. deb
Thanks Deb,
I appreciate the compliment, although I defer everything to The Spirit. Grace and compassion all tie in with mercy too, and it is something that as believers, we cannot live without. God Bless
Jim
Jim, I was thinking about this again this morning and was convicted of my own impatience when I drive. I get so irritated by other drivers, but I shouldn’t because I never know what might be going on in their life. Thanks for the reality check. Peace, Linda
Your welcome Linda, sometimes we all need one!
Jim,
Thanks for this story that really was not fiction because it happens everyday in every town and city across the world. It’s a you and me story and we know how easily we slip back into that skin of being victims rather than looking at ourselves as oppresors. I need this message today.
Vineet
Vineet,
It really is a you and me story, most all of my stories are based on things I have encountered or known others to encounter in life. I am glad this message blessed you today brother. God Bless
Jim