I was recently driving through a neighborhood in our community doing my very best to stay alert for any kids running into the street. Since we have two children, I am more aware of my surroundings, especially while behind the wheel of a car. My safe driving through this quaint neighborhood allowed me to wave at a pudgy little boy standing on the side of the road. I smiled as I passed by, but my smile soon turned sour as I watched this seemingly innocent child swing his closed fist into the air and release the contents. What was he holding so tightly in his fist? Thanks for asking…a handful of rocks. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as each of those stones descended for a direct hit on my car. ”Oh-no-he-did-not,” I thought. At this point in the situation, my reaction needed to be determined: a) throw the car into park, grab the evil child by the arm, and march him to the front door to tell his parents what he had done; or, b) keep driving and ignore the infraction. For some reason, I chose to keep on driving. Believe me, everything inside me wanted to teach that kid a lesson about throwing rocks at cars, but I seem to remember another little boy who threw rocks at cars when he was eight years old. His name was Tom.
I’m amazed at how quickly we become angry at others for doing the very same things we have done in the past. When we are in the wrong, we want mercy; but, when someone else is in the wrong, we want revenge. This type of reasoning does not make sense. Those who have experienced mercy should be the most merciful. Those who have been forgiven should forgive. If you are guilty of throwing rocks, don’t retaliate when someone throws rocks at you. Returning evil for evil is human, but returning good for evil is divine. ”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NKJV).
Anyone else guilty of throwing rocks at cars?
Not rocks but snowballs…at cars on the expressway. Yeah, not the brightest idea we ever had.
I always knew you had a rebellious streak in you!