January 20--This day in history was the day that I had two minor car wrecks, six years apart. I was sued by both of the other drivers! Bad luck for sure! While shopping in Wal-mart a few years ago, I saw someone
that triggered some really negative emotions in me regarding one of those wrecks.
*********************
The back story: A few years ago her father had filed a
lawsuit against me for a traffic accident in which I rear-ended his
vehicle. On the scene, he had been so concerned for me and my then
5-month old baby, and he had refused ambulance treatment, saying he was fine. We
knew his family fairly well, and it was written off as terrible luck for us
both.
Then, out of the blue, two years later, I received a notice
that I was being sued for his medical expenses and pain and suffering. Y'all, his wife even sued me for his 'loss of spousal companionship'!!
I was floored.
To be honest, I was scared to death that we would lose
everything.
The lawsuit went to court in front of a jury, and I was an
emotional mess; it was very traumatic for me. Although he was ultimately suing
my insurance company, I took it very personally. He ended up being awarded
a portion of his request. The insurance company paid. We moved on with our
lives.
And then I saw her in Wal-mart.
Confession time: I avoided her. I went down
different aisles so as to avoid eye contact. [Mature, I know]. Our
daughters had grown up together; had played ball together. Yet and still,
I was having a hard time even smiling in her direction.
Well, the Big Comedian above was having none of that and decided
to push me out of my comfort zone.
There I was, minding my own business trying to pick out some
Ziploc bags, and I hear her voice: "She's getting so big! You don't have a
baby anymore!" as she pointed to Abbey.
Caught off guard, I smiled in agreement back at her.
And that's when it happened.
She began unloading on me about her current struggles with
her two daughters and their bad choices, her ailing father (the same one who
had sued me) and how taking care of him full-time was wearing her out.
She was overwhelmed with her life, plain and simple, and she just needed a
friendly ear to listen.
In that moment, I realized that she was not her father. She
was not the reason I had been traumatized by the accident, the lawsuit, the
trial. I was filled with compassion for this woman with the weight on the world
on her shoulders. She just needed my smile. Standing there and seeing the
pain in her eyes, I felt horrible.
I think I helped her that day.
But she also helped me.
I realized that day how much bitterness I had been carrying
in my heart for her father. That very day, I prayed for forgiveness for
holding on to that anger for so long. The whining and complaining about the
experience needed to stop. It was time to release him from my
All-the-People-Who-Have-Hurt-Me file cabinet and put that pain in my spiritual
shredder. It was serving no Godly purpose.
Once again, God reminded me that absolutely everybody you
meet has a story.
And, if you're willing to stay in the same aisle with
them, you might actually learn something.
"Then hear from heaven and forgive, and render to
every man according to all his ways, whose heart You know; for You, and You
alone, know men's hearts." 2 Chronicles 6:30
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I have done the very same thing - seen someone I didn't want to see, for different reasons, and avoided them. Left the store, even. Your story gives me encouragement that maybe, just maybe, next time I can face them, head-on. Maybe they are hurting too.
ReplyDeleteI recently lost a close friend through circumstances outside of my control; I was on her and my old stomping grounds a few weeks back, and felt concern that I might run into her. Maybe one day I will, and I can make an overture towards peace between us.
I LOVE this post, and I'm SO glad you got the chance to not only be there for her, but to let go of that hurt.
I love you and I am SO proud of YOU!