THE PARKING LOT FROM WELL, not heaven
image courtesy of photobucket.com
The parking lot was jammed, wall to wall cars. It took me five minutes just to back out of my space. I was finally shown mercy by the 30th car that finally stopped to let me back out of our spot.
Once we were out of the space, it was slow going. The main exit way in the parking lot was packed and not too many souls were willing to give up a position in line to let any other car in front of them.
When we finally got onto the main exit way of the parking lot I could see the fury in the faces of the drivers behind me as I let cars into the lane in front of me. Just another typical day in that parking lot…
I dread that parking lot sometimes… Unfortunately, I have to deal with it twice some days. As I was picking my daughter up later in the day, I showed up a few minutes early, hoping to avoid the rush of traffic in that horribly mannered parking lot.
God smiled on me that day and gave me an open parking place close to the exit. As I was waiting for my daughter to come out I spotted him. He must have made an early exit or ducked out a side door and moved like a rabbit to beat the crowd trying to get out of the parking lot.
Who could blame him? After all, it’s a parking lot like any other in a crowded city. It’s a dog eat dog, look out for number one, it’s us or them mentality. Maybe his wife was sick? Maybe he was trying to get home to watch a football game? He probably got there early and needed some lunch? Who knows?
God knows…
God knows the heart of all of us, including that associate pastor I spotted in the church parking lot, where some of the rudest, mean, and inconsiderate drivers navigate their vehicles on Sundays. The pastor might just want to get out so he doesn’t have to see the behavior of his people.
As I sat waiting for my daughter to finish up the youth service she was in, I watched the typical traffic in that lot and dreaded my turn to try and back out into an unyielding line of cars.
A man who looked to be in his early to mid-thirties pushed the small wheelchair, where his mentally and physically handicapped daughter sat comfortably. The man looked different than the majority of people in that parking lot.
He had a gentle smile on his face, was walking at a comfortable pace, and was very tender with his daughter who looked to be around 6 or 7 years of age. He stopped his daughter’s wheelchair, opened the car door carefully, examining the space to make sure the car door didn’t cause any neighborly door damage to our two cars.
He then gently lifted his daughter who couldn’t help him at all, and sat her softly into the backseat of their car and buckled her in. Then the man left the car door half open due to the heat while he folded the wheelchair and fit it awkwardly into the small trunk space.
The man finally closed the door beside his daughter who was almost next to me as I waited. As the man walked back around his car, with a sweat beginning to show, he still looked pleasant as he slid in and started his car.
Right then my daughter, whom I hadn’t noticed approaching from behind, opened our car door and got in. The little girl on the other side of me, not much farther away, would never have that same luxury…
The man smiled and waited patiently for me to back out first. He showed more compassion in that parking lot than anyone else I’d seen navigate that parking lot, including me.
I had the man and his beautiful brown hair and brown eyed daughter in my thoughts as I waited for the main exit road to pass. I wasn’t too surprised no one would stop to let anyone else merge in as I sat several cars back.
If this is how the majority of my fellow Christians conduct themselves on God’s day immediately after hearing God’s word spoke and taught, what must they act like outside of church on the other days of the week?
Interesting how the man with the heaviest cross to bear managed to show the true heart, love, and actions that should mark all of us. My disapproving attitude and lack of patience piled on top of legalistic actions only make the parking lot an even bigger spiritual mess.
I do believe that you can tell a lot about a person by the way they conduct themselves in traffic. Actions always speak volumes…
It’s people like the man and his daughter I don’t even know and what he showed me with his actions that show the hope of God in all of us…
Tuesday, September 13, 2011 @ 10:56 pm
*GULP* I have road rage more than I’d like to admit. God bless that man & his daughter. Maybe his daughter taught him patience through her handicap. He doesn’t sweat the small stuff in life… That’s why when I leave church, I bail at the closing prayer/hymn haha. I don’t want to sit in church feeling filled by the spirit & at peace only to leave & let traffic get the best of me, cause it has & does! Parking lots always stress me out mostly cause people just don’t pay attention & there is too much going on for their mental capacity to handle. Maybe park on the street next time? Hah.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 9:32 am
It must be a genetic thing! It’s really about perspective. We choose to react how we react. The ways that we express or tolerate things is a learned behavior, I’m not saying that we all don’t have a breaking point, but this issue is all about perspective. I need to choose to be the one with the Godly perspective, maybe then the example will be used to change others. Thanks for the honesty and comment Herald!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 5:32 am
Isn’t it funny how those of us who claim to love God are usually worse than those who don’t? Definitely something to think about.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 9:34 am
Thanks April, yeah, I think our weaknesses get exposed more than non believers. We are called to be on guard, I sometimes fall asleep at my post…
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 5:59 am
Ooooh Gag. Conviction. I drive like a maniac. I could offer you a million excuses for my behavior, but that always makes the situation worse. Regardless, I’m glad you shared this, I really do have to rethink some of this. I just let myself get caught up in the whole aggressive, “I HAVE CRAP TO DO” attitude… which I shouldn’t. Truly enjoyed this, friend!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 9:36 am
Thanks Jake, I know that you and I are pretty similar, so can imagine the very thoughts. It really took God showing me something up close and personal to get my attention and begin to try to change my perspective.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 11:03 am
So true. Traffic can be a reliable indicator of where we are spiritually from moment to moment. I know when I’m not built up or focused properly, there’s a lot of grumbling and name-calling. Maybe I should start asking specifically for traffic grace… That could work. 🙂 Thanks Floyd. Beautiful story (even if parts of it are a sad testimony of Christian’s behavior).
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 11:07 am
“Traffic grace,” what a wonderful idea! I might have to try that! None of us are perfect, I think our weaknesses are magnified by the enemy, my included. Thanks Jason.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 3:04 pm
This is an awesome story. And LOL at the above comments: I was actually just about to comment on “traffic grace,” myself.
I once had a pastor who expressed that whenever you feel tempted to yell at the car in front of you (with the windows rolled up, of course) instead of asking “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” you can instead yell “I’M SUPPOSED TO LOVE YOU!!!” What a difference that makes 🙂
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 3:05 pm
Also: this is a good time for me to mention my pet peeve about bad drivers with Jesus fishes. Just sayin’.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 4:04 pm
Too funny! I hear you! That is the absolute truth. I honestly wonder in amazement how they could add the neon light of Christianity to their car and then drive like hell? I honestly won’t add it to mine because I don’t want to do any further damage to God’s people’s image. I mean, you know, if uhh, the right circumstances, I mean, you know, like, uhhh, if I happened to maybe drive inappropriately, not that I would mean to, I mean if it happened by accident, and so forth…. You know, a purely accidental, pull out, cut off, and speed like an idiot to make the next light. I mean, you know, if it did happen I mean…. By accident….
Thanks Jo, I got a bit carried away… Like I do when I drive sometimes… If you see a Jesus fish on my car… Slap me…
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 11:48 am
haha “add the neon light of Christianity to their car and then drive like hell” is an amazing way to put it. There’s really nothing quite like getting cut off by someone proclaiming that “real men pray.” Unless they’re trying to make people into “real men” by inducing frantic-prayer-needed situations, I don’t think it’s doing a whole lot for the kingdom.
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 3:43 pm
Too Funny! “By inducing frantic-prayer-needed situations”! It’s like a one stop shop! I guess it’s better to laugh about than cry… I am fascinated by how much of a person can tell or show the world who they really are in their heart by the way they drive. Good one Jo!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 3:57 pm
What a great idea! I’ll have to try it! Not that I’ll need to, uh hum… I’m amazed how much can be learned by sharing ideas. It really is enlightening. Thanks Jo for the wonderful input!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
When my three children were small, and I also cared for my friends children while she worked, I often needed to go to the bank or somewhere important. I would ask God to find me a good parking place and he always did – right in front of where I needed to go. I suppose God would do the same for you to help you get out of the parking lot. That might be more difficult, but then God can part the water, so why not the parking lot?
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 6:48 pm
Thanks Hazel! Interesting that I didn’t even think of it? Seriously good call, if it’s not His will, He would most assuredly give me a new perspective on the parking lot! Great thought!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 6:52 pm
Isn’t it amazing how a 3500 pound car/truck makes some people into 6’4″ 250 pound NFL linebackers, with no fear of being a jerk, inconsiderate driver. I always smile, well the the most part I try to smile. Bt
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Ain’t that the truth! Kind of how tough people can get over a telephone line. Since I know you and you just described yourself, I’ll be looking for you on the road… Just in case your not in the smiling mood…
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 6:45 am
I can recall two times in my life when I have been truly terrified in the back seat of a car. Both times the driver of said car was a preacher. I don’t know why that is, but they both drove fast and recklessly. Maybe it’s because they’re not afraid to die, but dang–they don’t have to take the rest of us with them.
There is an expression: Hurt people hurt people. It is the most beautiful witness when hurt people return grace and light. It speaks volumes.
Thursday, September 15, 2011 @ 9:48 am
“Hurt people hurt people.” I haven’t heard that, how true. The guy parked next to me with his daughter most certainly could have had the perspective of being “hurt.” He was full of grace and light. I need to be more like that. He was a breath of fresh air. Thanks Kathy, I’ll be using that line you just shared.
Sunday, September 18, 2011 @ 10:19 pm
The problems with your computer must have occured around this date, 9/14/11. Since then I am no longer receiving your notices. I will sign up again.
This post came to me on 9/14/11 by e-mail but the post I received was like a message from a scammer. I clicked on “read more” and the above correct post came up. FYI: this is the first few words that came to me on my e-mail. They were very strange.
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Monday, September 19, 2011 @ 6:54 am
I think it was right around then, I actually had the guy who help me set up the site work on it and has sent a couple of tests and it’s still messed up, but we’re working on it. Sorry for the inconvenience, I appreciate you tracking me down!