Habitual walkers get to know the traffic sounds around them out of necessity. After all, this is a vehicle driven culture we live in, and it’s just best that any pedestrian accept that outright.
Recently on a nightly walk with our dogs, I heard a vehicle approaching from directly behind me, but I knew that even though I was already in the crosswalk, the car had to stop because it was a busy residential intersection with a four way stop. And so I continued across the street without apprehension. … Rookie mistake.
As I first the dogs, then I, cleared the other side of the street, my Spidey senses tingled because I noticed eerily that there was no telltale sound of a car braking behind me. I thought it odd at first, but recognition soon kicked in, and I realized the car hadn’t stopped. It must have driven straight through the stop sign.
Luckily for me, the car and the dogs and I were traveling in a parallel direction. So I already was safely across the street when I looked to my right as the small SUV passed me. And because it was already dark, I could see the glow of the driver’s cell phone in their left hand, and their face attentively focused on it.
All of this happened quickly, of course. A matter of seconds really. … So, I can’t be certain of all the details, but I can only surmise that the driver never even saw the stop sign because they were focused on their phone.
I was nothing short of fuming. ... Sure, I was safe, but I could only imagine what might take place at the next intersection, or the one after that. What steamed me further was that this was only the latest incident I’ve witnessed from drivers who pay no heed to the safety of others.
Having another 30 minutes to go on the walk after the incident helped cool me down, and eventually helped me reframe the event in prayer. Because, honestly, what else are you going to do with that anger anyway, right?
Once home, I started reviewing scriptures about forgiveness, and Ephesians 4:32 glowed like a neon sign: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” … The scripture eventually helped.
I pray that the driver of the vehicle that night safely arrived at their destination and did no harm to anyone else.
I also pray that distracted driving eventually will become as unacceptable as driving under the influence. After all, it took a social movement to make that happen as well, but over time it worked.
Finally, I pray to ask God’s help in living a life of forgiveness, as I find that sometimes left to my own devices, forgiveness is in short supply. Amen.
Devlyn Brooks is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and serves Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He can be reached at [email protected] for comments and story ideas.