The other day, as usual, I was waiting in line to pick up my girls from school; like so many other parents, grandparents or other family members and friends. You had to get there about 30 minutes before school was out, or you would be stuck in a long line. The line usually went all the way down the drive and out on the road for about a block or two; but it always went smoothly and pretty fast. That is, once they started calling out the children’s names and told them to which marker they were to report.
On this particular day, I had already gotten my girls and was on my way out. There was a car, coming in, that was not moving. The driver appeared to be asleep and all the other cars were going around him. Not a one of those drivers honked their horn to get the attention of the driver that appeared to be asleep.
I got to thinking…….what if he was not asleep, and had a heart attack or passed out from the heat or any other malady that could come over a body. What if that was me sitting there, and everyone was going around me! How sad to think no one cared or took the time to check on this person to make sure he was alright.
As I was going out on the other side I yelled and honked my horn. I do not know if he heard me or not and it bothered me. I went down the block, turned around and came back. By the time it took me to get in line and go through again, he was gone. Thank God that he had just falling asleep.
My question to myself was …”how did we get this way?” That we are in such a hurry that we can not take the time to check on our fellow man … how sad is that. When did we become so uncaring and so cold as to bypass a person, that could have possibly had a heart attack, just so we could get home a few minutes early? What do you think our Heavenly Father thought? Just think how we must make Him feel. He took the time to go through all the suffering of being beaten, ridiculed, and then hung on that cross for our sins. Yet we can’t take a few minutes to check on another human being who might have been in trouble.
What a sad and pitiful situation that we have let ourselves get in. How selfish can we be and how undeserving of God’s love are we?
Remember, too, that knowing what is right to do and then not doing it is sin.
James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” NIV
Blessed Heavenly father, I pray that I never get to the point that I am so busy that I pass by one of my brothers/sisters who maybe in need; or even appear to be in need. Give me the courage to not care what others may think and the faith and wisdom to do what I know that You would want me to do. In Jesus precious name I pray……amen and amen
Pat Finn Pat@answers2prayer.org