Bad people. Well, there are the usual suspects that immediately come to mind, the ones who kill, maim and destroy lives … the ones who brag about the chaos they’ve caused and dream about doing it again … those that are beyond the scope of what we can understand, but are still loved by the Father, and nonetheless, I have and am sure many, if truth be told, can say that “they got what they deserved” … but what about the others?
For instance, although I couldn’t pick him or his pick-up out of a line-up, this dude passes me, partly in my lane and flying. My first thought was “I hope you get a ticket, you idiot”. Yep. My first thought. Not “Lord, watch over this man and get him to his destination safely” … nope, it was actual hope that he would be pulled over and given a ticket. Something that everybody hates. The little voice whispers “do unto others” … but …
And then, there is that person who pulled out at the last minute, went half a mile and turned. I slammed on my brakes and screeched to a halt to keep from hitting this person and the first thought in my head isn’t “Thank You, Lord, for sparing me and not letting me wreck”. No, it is “you moron … just pull out and stop why don’t you? Jerk.” Again, that little voice reminding me to “do unto others” …
and then I put myself in the place where the stones I was throwing were landing
What about all those times that emotions or family or both had me discombobulated? When work was like a millstone around my neck and I could barely force myself to go. Distracted and unfocused, it is very believable that I was either of these people. I hope that anyone behind or beside me did not react as I did, but as I should have.
In my own way, I am bad. I snap at my family and friends and think thoughts that I know can lead nowhere good. I sometimes go for days without reading my Bible. I think about it, but don’t do it. I often begin the morning with groans of disappointment that I have to get up instead of embracing it as the miraculous gift that it is. I am so imperfect that any stone I throw could be thrown at me. Sometimes bad things happen to good people when they’re being bad but trying not to be. This doesn’t make us bad, but it should make us take notice.
Never, ever reject Grace when it is offered.
A Photographer's Heart 