Blog

A few months ago, I was driving my trusty Subaru Ruby to see a friend and meet her for a walk around Clement Lake. It was a hectic Friday afternoon with traffic and the left lane I was in was backed up with cars that were not moving. I decided I should change lanes and move into the middle lane. I turned my head to make sure there was no traffic coming and pushed on the gas, and SMASH! I jammed the left front of my car into the woman’s SUV in front of me. The whole front side of my car was crushed, and I could barely open my door. I sat there shaking for a moment and could hardly breathe. I couldn’t believe I had done that. How could I have misjudged the space between cars? I’ve changed lanes thousands of times and never misjudged the space. My thoughts were interrupted by the woman in front of me who got out of her SUV and came over to my car, "Are you okay?” she said, “Yes, I’m okay.” I said, “Praise the Lord, we’re both okay,” she exclaimed. Wow, so kind. I had flash of a memory of an accident as a young woman, where the person I hit came out yelling and screaming at me and literally jerked me out of my car, so this was a welcome surprise. I called Dave and then called the police and was able to move my car out of the way of traffic to the left. I did end up getting a ticket, but nobody was hurt, and I was able to drive my car home. The woman I hit was a grandma and on her way to church for a baby shower with cupcakes in the backseat of her car. She remained calm throughout the time we waited for the police and even asked to pray with Dave and me. While we waited, the words that came to my mind whispered from the Lord were “Time to Slow Down.” I had caused an accident and wasn’t even pressured to be somewhere at an exact time-it was a casual get together with a friend, but I had raced down the road like I had to get there in a mad chase. Ugh. I’m human, I made a mistake. I was very sorry that all happened, and I was shaken up for a while. I felt bad for the woman who had to get her car fixed, sad for my car, and sad for myself. I also felt anxious driving and changing lanes in the next few weeks. I ended up trading in my car and now drive a Highlander which I feel much safer in. But I’ve pondered that message from God a lot since then. I remind myself daily that I need to slow down. Not just in traffic, but in my thoughts, striving, and my many lists of things to do, etc. I tell myself daily, “slow the pace, deep breathe, one thing at a time.” It was a painful lesson, but I’m grateful I’m on the other side of it all and moving a little slower and more mindfully-a slowed down pace and a little more peace.