Ouch!

I noticed the woman before I noticed the car.
She was standing behind a minivan with a phone in her hand.
She was taking a picture.
She walked to the passenger side of the car.

It was then that I noticed the passenger side door was wide open.
She walked to the door and peered inside.
She went to the back of the car again with her phone.
She walked with a purpose towards the front door of the store.

She and I crossed paths as we both entered the store.
I saw her approach the customer service counter.
That was where I was headed as well.
She wanted to talk to someone.

I had the whole scenario figured out in my head.
The mini van was parked in the first parking space.
I was so sure that it was a space designated for online pickups.
As I put the pieces together, I was sure it was the woman’s mini van.

I determined that she probably had someone help her bring something heavy to her car.
I was sure that the person carrying the heavy object scratched her car in some way.
That would explain the reason why she took the picture.
She wanted to have evidence of the scratch.

I had to get in line at the customer service counter.
The woman went ahead of the few of us in line.
She walked right up to the desk and wanted to speak to someone immediately.
I would make such a good detective, I said to myself.

I had to wait for the person ahead of me to finish.
I could hear the woman as she talked to a customer service employee.
The passenger side door is wide open, she said.
I took a picture, she continued as she handed her phone to the employee.

I am right, I said in my head, quite proud of myself.
We will make an announcement right away, the employee said.
Why would they make an announcement about scratching her car?
I was so sure I was right, even though my assumptions were unraveling before me.

I just don’t want anyone to take anything, the woman said kindly.
I am sure the person doesn’t even know the car door is open, she said with compassion.
But you took a picture of the scratch, I kept saying to myself.
In reality, she took a picture of the license plate.

I was so incredibly wrong.
My detective skills were not as sharp as I presumed.
I drew all the wrong conclusions based on appearances.
I deduced her mood, her motive, and her plan of action without knowing the facts.

A voice came over the loud speaker.
Would the owner of a ___, license plate number___, come to the customer service desk?
I was so terribly wrong.
I almost wanted to go up to the woman and tell her how I misjudged the whole incident.

I left it alone.
I felt terrible.
I was annoyed at myself.
I was so certain I was right but I was so wrong.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.
(Proverbs 18:2)

A verse came to mind.
The truth of God’s Word, stung.
Ouch!
I did not orally air my opinions, but I surely aired them in my mind.

I had it all figured out.
I was proud of my sleuthing.
I was proud of my skills of deduction.
I was completely wrong.

The woman was the wise one.
She saw a problem and acted.
She took a picture of the license plate and brought it to the store’s attention.
She took the time to get involved.

I only took the time to judge.
I only took the time to formulate an entire scenario: case closed.
Why did I do that?
How many other times have I done the same thing?

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. (Proverbs 18:13)
Ouch!
My heart was so sure it was right.
Simple pride.

I hope this lesson in pride and jumping to conclusions has taught me something.
There are two sides to every story.
There is the side you see with your eyes.
There is the side you can only see with your heart.

My eyes took over that day.
The woman was annoyed.
The helpful employee damaged a car.
The woman was going into the store to complain.

What my heart learned was very different from what my eyes saw.
The woman was concerned.
The employee was helpful.
The woman went into the store to remedy a situation in order to help someone else.

I was no different from the priest and the Levite who passed by the injured man.
In reality, the woman was the Good Samaritan.
The truth about the state of my heart that day, hurt.
I was so sure; I was so wrong.

Can you relate?
Have you ever drawn conclusions with what seems to be accurate facts?
Have you ever discovered that you were completely wrong?
But grace…

Grace is right there with us, encouraging us.
Grace takes away the sting.
Grace enables us to move on with our heads held high.
Grace is so undeserved.

God is so tenderhearted.
God gives grace for the Ouch!
Abundant grace is ours.
The tender mercy of our God; now that is something to ponder.

 

2 responses to “Ouch!”

1. Precious thoughts to ponder…thanks!

   Reply

   • Jean,
     I am still pondering them.
     I still have a lot to learn…but grace!
     Gina

     Reply