Monday, April 23, 2012

Priorities: Reflection on Traffic Accidents

I was driving home from work today when I heard a warning that there was an accident on Mason.  My first thought was, "Ah crap, traffic is going to be awful."  My second thought was probably not my thought at all but rather a gentle nudge from God.  My second thought was, "Why am I grumbling about traffic and considering praying that God will get me home fast instead of praying for the people in the accident?"  It was rather convicting and majorly humbling.  I am focused on myself and my own well being pretty much 99.9% of the time, and I'm fairly certain that the 1% I'm not is when I'm asleep.  Though I know as a fact that I'm not the center of the universe, I act and think as if I believe otherwise.

Do you grumble about traffic because of accidents?  Am I the only one?  My challenge today is that I would pray for God to be with the victims and that He would teach me patience and give me a heart that breaks for others more than it breaks for myself.  Maybe then traffic won't be so stressful, maybe then I'll have a bit more peace.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6
 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

1 comment:

Kirsten Oliphant said...

Totally caught myself doing the SAME THING. Ugh. We are ugly in our hearts! (Not just you and me--I mean humanity.) With little kids, it's a good reminder, and I try to pray when I hear sirens. Sometimes I forget and they remind me. :)